Thousands of New Zealanders are caught in delays for hospital treatment

Ministry of Health figures show more than 15-thousand 700 people have been waiting longer than four months for their first appointment with a specialist.

Another 13-thousand 500 have been accepted for treatment...but have been waiting longer than four months to get it.

Covid-19 recovery plans obtained by the Herald show dozens of services under severe stress...even before the pandemic.

Sarah Dalton of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says some straight talking is needed around the extent of the problem.

She says both the Government and the tax-paying public need to accept there's a real problem.