Doctors groups are concerned about a possible backlash against foreign-born doctors in New Zealand, after the terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists president Dr Jeff Brown says he has been told messages from people refusing to see foreign-born doctors have been sent by
email and text message in the Auckland area.
"I'm not aware of doctors being directly approached but it probably wouldn't happen like that. They probably wouldn't turn up to their appointments."
He said more than 40 per cent of New Zealand doctors were trained overseas and New Zealand was heavily reliant on them.
"You've got a one-in-three chance of being treated by one of these people but it doesn't mean they're new to the country. They may have raised families here, they may even have grandchildren here."
Overseas Doctors Association spokesman Salahuddin Chowdhury had not heard of a backlash, but would need to talk to others in the association before commenting further.
Resident Doctors Association spokeswoman Dr Deborah Powell said her association had not had any reports, but "we're keeping a close ear to the ground".
"We need to be clear, the people in New Zealand are vetted by the medical council and the process should provide certainty," Dr Powell said.
The New Zealand Medical Association declined to comment.
Assistant police commissioner of counter-terrorism Jon White said police had been in contact with Australia over the British attacks, but there was no New Zealand link in them.
"We've contemplated what we might learn and have offered assistance, but there's been no contemplation of altering our security settings," Mr White said.
New Zealand Customs deputy comptroller Robert Lake said his department was looking at the profile of passengers coming into or leaving New Zealand in light of Australia's experience, and "adjusting our risk assessments accordingly".
The Department of Labour, which oversees immigration, would not comment on "specific matters".
