Doctors are delaying their retirement due to the current workforce shortages.

Medical Council data shows the average age of doctors is 52 for 2022 -  up from 48 in 2005.

At least 50 percent of GPs plan on retiring in the next decade according to the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

Medical Director Dr. Bryan Betty says there's concern from doctors about who will replace them when they retire.

He says as a result they've been forced to stay on longer than they would otherwise want to.

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