Holidaymakers are flooding into Hawke's Bay Hospital's Emergency Department with non-urgent medical conditions, prompting staff to ask people to first seek help from an accident and medical centre or pharmacy.
Emergency Department consultant Dr Scott Boyes said holidaymakers could wait hours to be seen if they turned up to ED with non-urgent conditions such as allergy-related issues, gastro illness from poor food preparation or cooking, as well as conjunctivitis and minor cuts or bruises.
"At this time of year, extra pressure is placed on emergency departments and it's very important ED is left to treat those requiring urgent medical care and life-threatening conditions," Dr Boyes said.
"Over the past three days we have seen a significant number of people with non-urgent health complaints that could have been managed appropriately and more in a more timely way by a GP, pharmacist or after-hours medical centre."
In terms of foodborne illnesses it was advised that people take care with food preparation as the warmer weather created perfect conditions for bacteria, viruses and parasites in food.