Troubled laboratory testing provider Labtests has been told a long-term approach to remedying its problems will not cut the mustard. The company has undertaken a leadership overhaul following numerous complaints from doctors and patients about the new service.

A team of senior specialists from District Health Boards has also been sent in to address quality and safety problems at Labtests.

Auckland Region District Health Board chairman Pat Sneddon says they want action - and quickly. He says they have told Labtests they need to make progress every day because the Auckland public is not interested in waiting for problems to be remedied over a long period of time.

Mr Sneddon says there are remedies in the contract - including termination - if Labtests does not improve, but he does not think it will come to that.