The Lakes District Health Board has suffered a budget blowout of more than $5 million - a position its chief executive has described as "very concerning".
Ministry of Health figures released by Labour's health spokeswoman Annette King show the 2015-2016 year-end result for Lakes District Health Board was a $5.2 million deficit and $5.8 million unfavourable to budget.
Chief executive Ron Dunham said in a statement the board was trying to live within its budget but it also needed to ensure services were provided to people who needed it.
He said patient care was and remained the priority.
"We do not turn patients away because we think providing treatment for them will adversely affect our budgeted spending."