The solution to Kenepuru Hospital's staffing issues is not to close it.

This from Ohariu MP Peter Dunne following a proposal by Capital and Coast District Health Board to close Kenepuru's overnight emergency service.

He said Kenepuru is the closest hospital for those living north of Khandallah and it's unfair to those people to close the service.

"I don't think it's fair to the people who will be affected to say well because we are short on staffing, we can't guarantee staff and the easiest way of solving the problem is to close the unit down.

"I think that's very short sighted because once they close, they seldom re-open."

Dunne said Kenepuru is the closest hospital for those living north of Khandallah and the risks of closing it are too great.

"Think of the time taken in emergency cases to get people from the northern suburbs of Wellington into central Wellington.

"I think there's also a potential risk if there's uncertainty over the service - with people turning up and not knowing whether it's open or not."

Mr Dunne is urging the health board to explore other solutions like better rosters and sharing of staff.