There's concerns over extreme staff shortages in rural hospitals - as the Government announces funding to help urgent and after-hours care. 

Patient Voice Aotearoa has revealed more than 20 rural hospitals across the country are looking for one or more locum doctors.

The Far North's Dargaville, Bay of Islands, and Kaitaia hospitals are doctor-less - and relying on telehealth.

Chair Malcolm Mulholland says it's unclear how we can staff extra services - and we have to do more to keep doctors here.

"This is the problem that we've got - whether we're looking at GPs or specialists who operate within our hospitals, we simply don't have enough."

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