Senior doctors are warning that an “entirely preventable tragedy” is likely as a result of the border restrictions between NSW and Victoria.

Albury oncologist Dr Craig Underhill says patients could die because of the delays and quarantine restrictions affecting doctors, patients and other medical staff all along the border.

Dr Underhill and colleagues have written a letter outlining their frustrations at failures to address several key problems with the border crossings at not only the major centre of Albury-Wodonga but many other communities straddling the Murray River.

“We are also facing the very real threat of an entirely preventable tragedy if patients cannot receive timely and appropriate emergency medical care due to border delays,” states the letter to the NSW Government.