The clamp forced on elective surgery by the resident doctors' strike is fuelling fears hospitals will be financially penalised for their delays.
The Health Ministry can withhold some funding to sting district health boards which don't comply with elective surgery targets.
Thousands of patients have had elective procedures or outpatient appointments delayed so hospitals can focus on providing safe emergency and acute care during the strike.
The 73-hour strike by members of the Resident Doctors' Association enters day two tomorrow and will end at 8am on Friday.
Northland DHB chief medical officer Dr Mike Roberts said things are "going okay" at Whangarei Hospital.
But he said management is concerned by the ongoing effects the strike could have on elective surgery.
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