Peter Griffiths was shocked to receive a letter from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand (HNZ) recently informing him they would not treat his prostate problem because public demand was too high.
The 87-year-old Waikouaiti resident said the health system was "buggered" and it was not the response he expected after paying taxes for seven decades.
Ongoing staffing struggles have put Dunedin’s service under extra strain in recent months — it has two urologists when it should have four.
Mr Griffiths said he had suffered from prostate problems for a year and a-half, and the medication prescribed by his GP did not now seem to be doing much good.
"It gets very uncomfortable — I don’t have problems during the day ... but at night time it’s a totally different situation," he said.
"I’m up three or four times a night sometimes. I suffer from sleeplessness."
The GP had referred him to Dunedin’s urology department, and he had been quizzed by a clinician over the phone three weeks before the letter arrived.
HNZ’s letter stated the urology service had carried out a clinical review of Mr Griffiths’ information.
"The specialist has indicated that your condition is one that should be seen but unfortunately you have not been offered an appointment due to the number of people waiting with a higher level of need," the letter stated.
Ongoing care could be provided by his GP, who should also be the first person to contact about the situation outlined in the letter.
The letter also stated the GP could refer him to the service again if needed, or refer him to a suitable alternative provider.
Mr Griffiths said he had looked into seeking private healthcare, but doing so would cost thousands of dollars.
Fixing the understaffed health system was a task that would take years, and he doubted the waiting list was going to improve anytime soon.
"There shouldn’t be waiting lists like that, when we got busy on the job, we either put more men on it or worked overtime, and that’s what they should do.
"The health system is buggered, and I can’t see the new government fixing it."
Staff levels have fluctuated in Dunedin urology service in recent years.
By July last year, resignations left it with just two urologists, and HNZ Southern earlier this month confirmed it was still recruiting for specialists to fill another 1.8 full-time equivalent roles.
Support was being provided by Southland urologists, as well as locum staff, it said at the time.
Those most in need were being prioritised, and the urology nursing team had been given increased clinical scope.
Data earlier this month showed there were 395 patients waiting for their first specialist assessment, up from 306 last October.
Planning was under way for for a mega-clinic to tackle Dunedin waiting lists, expected to be held in late March.
HNZ Southern did not respond to request for comment by deadline yesterday.
