Rugby World Cup revelry dangerous for some fans

Fans celebrate after the All Blacks win the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but some of those celebrations turned into injuries. Photo / Christine Cornege

Celebration turned to injury for many rugby fans during the World Cup, with a record number of patients treated at Auckland Hospital during the tournament.

Between September 9 and October 23 staff at the hospital's Adult Emergency Department treated 7419 patients - many of them with injuries directly related to rugby nerves and elation, said department clinical director Dr Tim Parke.

"We had a fair few cardiac cases during the Rugby World Cup. There is a definite connection between watching high-intensity sports events and heart problems. Some of it was related undeniably, with the tension and being involved in the game," he said.

Alcohol was a factor in many cases and there was a higher volume of injuries typically seen by the department , said Dr Parke.

These related largely to falls, such as ankle fractures and cuts to the head, and to fights, which often resulted in broken cheeks and damaged eye sockets, he said.

Yesterday, 234 patients were treated at the department - the busiest day on record, exceeding the 212 patients seen on World Cup opening night.

Almost all of the patients, 98 per cent, were seen within the target waiting time of six hours, the department reported.

On Labour Day patient numbers increased by more than half of the usual daily rate of 150, which at times meant a new patient arrived every two to three minutes, said a department spokeswoman.

Dr Parke said planning for the event had helped staff cope with the workload, but acknowledged at times the system was under "quite a bit of pressure".

Extra staff were rostered on each week, especially during the opening and finals, and a short stay unit was set up so patients could be monitored following treatment.

"Even during the busiest times, the department was well under control and generally able to exceed the Ministry of Health's six-hour waiting time target for ED patients," Dr Parke said.