Labour is demanding the Minister of Health do more to fix problems with Auckland's laboratory testing services.

The Health and Disability Commissioner has now stepped in, after complaints about the performance of the new operator, Labtests.

Ron Paterson claims there is a real risk to patients caused by delays in reporting results. He says the complaints range from long waiting times at Labtests collection centres to a case which led to a newborn baby being urgently admitted to Starship Hospital.

Labour's Health spokeswoman Ruth Dyson says it is time for the Minister to act.

"The public in Auckland is getting very frustrated as what they see is a breach of the understanding they have about what services will be delivered. The buck stops with the minister."

Health Minister Tony Ryall has directed the Auckland District Health Boards to get the matter resolved.