Hospitals are postponing and cancelling operations this week because they will struggle to find staff to care for people post operation.

Dr Kate Baddock is with the NZ Medical Association, and says only essential services will be running. 

"No elective surgery will take place, the E.D will be running for those who really need to be seen, and the acute care unit for those who are very sick already in the hospital."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DR KATE BADDOCK SPEAKS WITH TIM DOWER