Auckland's three District Health Boards believe the region's new medical testing service will improve, however the reassurance comes as little comfort to doctors.

The DHBs have ordered a list of changes and have taken over the quality and safety aspects of Labtests' services after a raft of problems emerged at the end of a five week handover period from Diagnostic Medlab.

Medical Association chairman, Dr Peter Foley, says the intervention would never have been needed if Labtests had had appropriate systems in place from the outset. He says doctors always had their doubts about the transition .

"On behalf of our members and on behalf of the patients of Auckland we remain concerned. We have highlighted right from the start, doubt about the ability for this transition to be smooth and seamless, as was promised."

Dr Foley says the Medical Association will be watching closely to see whether the intervention works.