Winter ailments inundate Tauranga Hospital

Tauranga Hospital medical director Hugh Lees.

Tauranga Hospital is experiencing high demand from people suffering from winter ailments.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical director Dr Hugh Lees said: "We are currently experiencing high numbers of presentations and admissions."

"Our Emergency Department numbers, at between 140-150 daily, are not dissimilar to the traditional peak times of Christmas and New Year. Within these there are high numbers of respiratory illness such as influenza and RSV," he said.

"The hospital is running at a high level of capacity but is coping. As always though the message is that if you have a minor ailment that could be treated at home you should seek advice from your GP rather can coming straight to hospital."