Albury hospital doctor numbers still 'a week by week proposition'

Albury Wodonga Health chief executive Michael Kalimnios said the service had not been able to secure more locums beyond two Sydney doctors who arrived last week for a fortnight.

"It's simply a situation at the moment where there's a lot of demand for locums right across the state, both Victoria and NSW," he said on Wednesday.

"We're confident we've got the support and processes in place to access locums if they're available. We're OK for the next seven days, we'll get into next week's roster ... plan for that and we'll assess where we're at."

Mr Kalimnios said hospital rosters relied on about 60 shifts a week being filled by locums, with the current shortage a result of NSW government restrictions on Melbourne workers.

"We are relying heavily on our staff to do what they always do and step up to the mark," he said.

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"Obviously we are really trying to avoid any situation where we limit services or have to transfer people to other public facilities.

"I can assure people we will continue to deliver good, safe, quality service, we would never compromise that."

The chief executive said Albury Wodonga Health had been working with police, transport and ambulance services to see if the border checkpoints could include a dedicated emergency lane.

A group of Border doctors last month called for a lane to be introduced so medical staff and patients could cross the border quickly in an emergency.

"From our perspective, absolutely there's a risk there," Mr Kalimnios said.

"It might never happen, but obviously if it does happen it potentially has pretty serious consequences."

Authorities had so far indicated the idea was not feasible.

"At this stage, given what we're advised, it's unlikely an emergency lane will be available," Mr Kalimnios said.

"That will continue to be a concern to our clinicians, no doubt about that."