A group representing all doctors says a report highlighting the alarming rate of medical specialists leaving New Zealand deserves serious debate.
The report by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says unless change happens now, the shortage of specialists will become worse and could put the safety of hospitals at risk.
The Government has criticised the report, saying the union has timed it to coincide with pay negotiations.
But the chair of the New Zealand Medical Association, Paul Ockleford, says the report is well researched.
Dr Ockleford says it shows the public health sector needs a transparent workforce strategy to ensure that hospital safety is never at risk.
