Already fatigued general practices are reporting significant and severe strain as a result of Covid-19

Nearly half of the 115 respondents of an Auckland University survey say there are delays for patients attending general practices.

Seventy-nine per cent see delays in outpatient appointments -- while 72 per cent report delays in elective procedures like hip replacements.

Auckland University Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith says many others report delayed treatments, that've led to more serious disease. She says there's one case where a woman left a melanoma untreated -- now she's had to have disfiguring facial surgery.