Off The Coast Ep. 25 - Lachie's Doctor at Breaking Point

In this episode of Off The Coast, we're joined by Doctor Peter Boot - Medical Director of Northcare Accident & Emergency.

Toni Street found herself making an unexpected trip to an accident and medical centre yesterday when her three-year-old Lachie suffered a head injury at his sister's hockey game.

As worried as Street was over her son requiring six stitches for a gash above his eye, she was also shocked to learn how truly exhausted and overworked the doctor who took care of Lachie was.

Doctor Boot - whose career has spanned more than 40 years - revealed to Street he was working a 12-hour shift and that Lachie was his 58th of 62 patients that day.

"It was the biggest day I've done in my whole life," he said.

"It was extremely focused and stressful for everybody and I won't be able to do that for very long because I'm getting old."

Doctor Boot joined Street and Sam Wallace to further discuss the dire state of primary care in New Zealand and the impact it's having on our doctors.

Listen to hear his experience working within today's healthcare system.