Rotorua Hospital's emergency department has had its busiest month on record, treating an average of 94 people a day and with higher than normal needs.
In July, 2910 people went through the emergency department as the hospital was hit by the seasonal onslaught of winter bugs. The patients being treated were sicker and their illnesses more complex which added to the business of the department.
While the hospital occupancy levels have dropped in the past week and they currently have enough beds to cope with admissions, there have been periods during the last few weeks where Rotorua Hospital was full.
Lakes District Health Board communications officer Shan Tapsell said influenza illnesses had caused some issues because patients presenting with flu-like symptoms had to be in single rooms until the results of their flu tests were confirmed. "This also placed added pressure on our Intensive Care Unit which was very busy in July."
The 2910 presentations compared with 2816 for July 2013. Ms Tapsell said it could mean people waited longer, but the process of triaging patients meant those in the most need were seen first. She said there had been some increase in this year's budget for emergency department nursing. She said in line with national trends, Rotorua Hospital had seen more people with influenza.