Emergency department doctors say they have no idea if there will be enough security guards when they turn up for work on Friday.
The government paid for 200 extra guards in EDs over summer as part of its 100-day plan, but that funding finished on Thursday.
Some hospitals will now have no dedicated guards, but emergency doctors say they are needed every day.
Te Whatu Ora chief people officer Andrew Slater spoke to Corin Dann.
