Record presentations to Hawke’s Bay Emergency Department

Record presentations to Hawke’s Bay Emergency Department

An increase in respiratory and flu-like illness in the community is the main reason for a record number (156) of people presenting to Hawke’s Bay Hospital yesterday, (6 July), clinicians say.

Chief medical officer for the hospital John Gommans said the hospital was busy again today and people were urged to see their family doctor early if they felt unwell, especially if they had a chronic respiratory illness.

Dr Gommans said cold weather predicted over the next few days meant the hospital anticipated seeing more people who needed hospital care.

“It was important people took some steps to help keep themselves well, so they reduced their risk of needing hospital care.”.

There were simple things like; staying warm, having the influenza vaccine, seeing a doctor early when you feel unwell and checking on elderly neighbours that might be living alone to make sure they were ok, or if people were worried they could also call Healthline 0800 611 116 for free advice from a trained registered nurse, which was available all of the time. These steps could make a difference to helping people stay out of hospital, he said.

Chief Medical Officer, primary care, Mark Peterson said it was also important to stay at home when you were sick, and keep unwell children home to help prevent bugs from spreading through the community.

Dr Peterson said general practice was also seeing an increase in flu-like illness and he urged at risk people with chronic medical conditions to make sure they had had their influenza vaccine.

Hastings Health Centre’s Accident and Medical Centre is open until 8pm daily as are The Doctors Hastings and Napier, the Medical Injury Centre Hastings, Totara Health Hastings and Flaxmere. City Medical in Napier is open 24/7.

ED usually treats between 115 and 120 patients a day. The previous record was 153 patients.

ENDS

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