Whanganui Hospital admits there is a risk to patient safety as its sole radiologist does the work of several doctors, and the situation is being closely monitored.
The radiologist is being paid more than $600,000 a year to do the work of an estimated three-and-a-half doctors, raising financial and safety concerns.
The Whanganui District Health Board says according to guidelines, the radiologist is interpreting X-rays and scans that would usually be read by three-and-a-half fulltime specialists.
A DHB member and surgeon, Clive Solomon, says such a workload raises questions of quality as X-rays and scans are interpreted, and is probably not safe for the specialist or his patients.
Mr Solomon says it is an impossible situation. "If someone is working that type of hours, one has to give consideration to the safety and the quality of the work that they could possibly be producing, no matter how good they are."
Mr Solomon says the board was told in 2007 that a contract with a new provider had solved the problem and wants the issue brought before the board again.
DHB chief executive Julie Patterson acknowledges a risk to patient safety, but says the radiologist's performance is monitored and there are no safety concerns at present.
Ms Patterson says the hospital has been unable to recruit more radiologists but expects an alliance being formed with MidCentral Health will offer alternatives.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says such arrangements lead to burnout, although doctors and other staff make huge efforts to overcome risks.
