A new report out of Otago University has shone light on the lack of access to appropriate specialist healthcare

Between 2018 and 2022, the number of referrals from GPs to public hospital specialists remained stable - but there was a decline in access.

Professor Robin Gauld says although the system works well sometimes - it's not always the case.

He says sometimes it takes advocacy, but that shouldn't be the case - you shouldn't have to phone up and try to work out what's happening.