It could take years to get through a backlog of elective surgery patients caused by Covid-19 restrictions, say specialists. Senior doctors warn there aren't enough specialists to increase capacity and many work in both the public and private sectors. READ MORE:* Health insurer Southern Cross charts course for clearing surgery backlog* Coronavirus: Private hospitals plead with Government for Covid-19 compensation* Coronavirus: Endometriosis elective surgery delay adds to pain"It's going to require private surgical services taking on extra work, but in some cases that is the same people doing the work in a different setting," Dalton said. Private hospitals undertake more than half of New Zealand's elective surgeries every year and this was set to increase. Carolyn Gullery, executive director planning, funding and decision support said the DHB would work with local private hospitals to clear additional elective work.

Source: Stuff May 21, 2020 16:52 UTC