Staff at Tauranga Hospital are urging patients for courtesy and patience in anticipation of a significant spike in admissions come New Year's Day.
Presentations at the hospital's emergency department (ED) increased by eight per cent in 2013 but that trend was expected to jump this festive season.
Nearly 200 patients are expected in the first 24 hours of 2014, which represents a 67 per cent increase on a normal day, when 120 people would be treated.
ED Clinical Director Dr Derek Sage said as visitors flood to the Bay's traditional holiday spots it will increase the pressure on the emergency department.
"During the Christmas - New Year holiday period, the local population swells and holidaymakers bring with them their medical problems. They are also removed from their usual and familiar medical supports. With so many public holidays in a small timeframe people are competing for the reduced local medical services, with many GPs not being available for long periods," Dr Sage said.
Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (PHO) CEO Roger Taylor said general practices would be open on their usual business days.
Outside of those times the PHO's after hours service at Accident & HealthCare Medical Centre, in 2nd Avenue, Tauranga, would apply from 8am to 9pm each day.
Dr Sage said the emergency department was for 'emergencies' and if a medical problem could wait until a regular working day, or be attended by an alternative source including GPs, pharmacies and dentists, then the advice is to utilise them.
"If people feel they need to attend the ED they will be confronted with significant waits to be seen with those who are sickest being seen first. However, whilst the ED's triage process ensures the sickest are seen first, those left in the queue are still monitored."
Dr Sage said the majority of demand will be alcohol related.
From 11pm on December 31, 2012, to 8am January 1, 2013, 95 per cent of patients arrived with acute alcohol-related problems.
Dr Sage said patient flow was predictable, with early presentations being binge-drinking young adults with injuries caused by alcohol-related clumsiness or assault.
During this period ED staff have to forfeit their usual leave allowance and double up staffing numbers to provide care.
"All we ask in return is patience and courtesy," said Dr Sage.