Auckland's former laboratory provider, Diagnostic Medlab, may be given back some of the work it lost to a new provider earlier this year.
Labtests won the $560 million eight-year contract from Diagnostic Medlab Limited (DML) after a lengthy and bitter court row, and began providing the service in August.
Since then, doctors and patients have criticised Labtests for failing to address shortcomings with its service.
Auckland's District Health Boards have been considering shifting less than 10% of the business back to DML.
Chair Pat Sneddon says he has had discussions with both providers but nothing has yet been signed off.
He says all three district health boards must review the proposal first.
