8 Jan 2018

Emergency surgeries push back Hawke's Bay operations

8:23 pm on 8 January 2018

Hawke's Bay Hospital has cancelled some elective surgery following an influx of patients to its emergency department since the New Year.

Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Hastings.

Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Hastings. Photo: RNZ / Peter Fowler

The hospital cancelled five elective operations today and one tomorrow, and two others are on stand-by.

A record 170 people sought help from the hospital's emergency department on New Years' Day.

Hawke's Bay Hospital's acting medical officer of health Simon Shaw said people had been understanding when the situation was explained to them.

Dr Shaw said those with acute needs, cancer, and other high-risk conditions were not affected.