Hawke's Bay Hospital Emergency Department sees 161 people in 24 hours

Hawke's Bay Today news editor James Ford. PHOTO / File

While the majority of New Zealanders toast Christmas and the year coming to the end amongst friends and family, it's easy to forget those still working all hours of the day.

Hospital workers, police, ambulance and fire services are still on deck day and night.

Their commitment to the cause keeps us safe and well should we require their assistance at a time of need.

It's an admirable dedication that deserves our respect.

And that's why we should be more thoughtful before calling upon them needlessly.
This lack of judgment is putting Hawke's Bay Hospital's Emergency Department under extreme pressure.

ED staff saw 161 people through the service in a 24-hour period on Tuesday.
It was close to the all-time record of 169 set in July.

Only 53 out of the 161 people presenting on Tuesday needed to be admitted.
ED staff had also seen 150 people the previous day and about 140 a day over the weekend.

Doctor Isobel Bradbury said of Tuesday that there were "large volumes of people that potentially might be able to be seen somewhere else".

With New Year's Eve - traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for hospitals - just around the corner, one fears that unwanted record of 169 will be broken.

While alcohol-related injuries and illness had not been a big issue over Christmas, it is expected to be more of an challenge over the New Year period.

Or course we all deserve a good time and to let our hair down, but looking after ourselves could potentially save the time needed to save the life of another.