A five-year gap between the opening of Dunedin Hospital's outpatient building and its inpatient building - could cause major staffing and operational problems

The ODT reports the outpatient building will be finished in July, and handed over across the following 10-weeks - but the inpatient building won't open until 2031.

A Health NZ report warns splitting staff across two sites could create logistical strain and funding issues, if contingency money isn't available during the handover.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists chief executive Sarah Dalton says the report's only positive - is the outpatient building opening this year.