Southland man's kidney cancer surgery delayed for weeks amid urologist staffing woes
A Southland man suffering from kidney cancer has faced significant delays in his life-saving surgeries due to urologist staffing shortages at his local hospital. The patient reported a lack of communication from health authorities regarding the cancellations.
Why it matters
The story highlights critical healthcare infrastructure failures and the human impact of staffing crises in public health systems.
A Southland cancer patient who needs regular surgery to control the growth has faced weeks of delays after a cancellation.
David Evans is bracing for the possibility his kidney cancer has spread - or he will be unable to keep his kidney - when he eventually returns to the operating theatre on Thursday.
The Winton man was scheduled for surgery two months ago, but it was postponed and then later cancelled.
It follows the resignation of two urologists - which Health New Zealand first confirmed in March - followed by "additional unanticipated absences", leaving the region with no permanent full-time urologists.
Health New Zealand said patients were being seen by one primarily Southland-based urologist and one specialist who visited weekly, while permanent full-time replacements were sought.
Evans said he had undergone surgeries every three to four months since last year to cut away the cancer.
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