Emergency departments across Northland were busier than usual over the holiday period this summer, with chest pains the most common complaint.
For the holiday period December 22, 2017 until midnight January 3, 2018 Bay of Islands Hospital Accident and Medical Department had 275 people through ED, which is up almost 20 per cent from the same period last year.
There were 1746 people through Whangarei Hospital Emergency Department, up 141 from 2016-17.
Kaitaia Hospital Accident and Medical department had 210 people through ED, which is 34 more than 2016-17.
The busiest day during the holiday period at Whangarei Hospital ED was New Year's Day with 176 presentations, up from 141 presentations the previous year.