GP Daniel McIntosh cares deeply for his patients and worries negative reporting about general practice may result in fewer doctors working in the industry.
"I love my job, I love general practice, I love the variety of work. I love the relationships I have with patients and their families, I love getting to know them," he said.
But there are challenges in getting those he cares for the right help.
"So I've got patients that have waited over two years for joint replacements, I've got patients that have waited for over 12 months to see a ear, nose and throat specialist."
Mum Julia Gavan-Smith now books appointments weeks in advance rather than risk not being seen.
"And if I don't need them I cancel them.
"When you've got a child running a 39-40 degree temperature you don't know what to do."
She's thankful for a great doctor, but said something needs to change.
Te Whatu Ora has just released its Clinical Performance Metrics which show the number of Bay of Plenty patients waiting longer than four months to see a specialist has jumped 64% in the last year.
Interim chief clincal officer Dr Richard Sullivan said primary care and the hospital system "are still feeling the ripple effects of Covid-19" which had a significant impact on waitlists and the workforce.
"We are continuing to deepen our understanding of what these performance metrics mean, and the challenges we face as a system and what we need to do to improve," he said.
McIntosh said a recent report of the workforce highlights there are too few general practitioners, and not enough are being trained.
"I'm frustrated, I'm a little bit disillusioned for my patients.
"It's hard, it's hard to see patients struggling and not getting the care they need."
He said 48% of general practitioners are high on the burnout scale and by 2032 64% will retire.
"My message for the incoming government and primary care is that you need to focus on us.
"You need to invest in us, and you need to help us care for our patients, and we need quick wins, we need an investment now. We don't need an investment in 12 months, we need to sort this now," he said.
Meanwhile for families like Gavan-Smith's she feels it may be some time before her children, both under three, are seen.
"I feel like they'll be 21."
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