22836 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

22836 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has Health New Zealand ever publicly notified the community that Kaitāia Hospital, Bay of Islands Hospital, or Dargaville Hospital may operate without a doctor physically present on site, if so, how and when did that occur?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that following the Independent Review of Kaitāia Hospital in 2002, the local community was informed of a consistent and reliable after-hours arrangement, with doctors available on-call from 5:00pm to 8:00am on weekdays and 24/7 over weekends. I am further advised that since August last year, the community served by Dargaville Hospital has been kept informed that there may be times when doctors are not physically on-site after hours, and that appropriate care arrangements are in place during these periods. I am also advised that Bay of Islands Hospital benefits from 24/7 on-site medical cover, and as such, no additional community communication has been necessary.