‍August 2026

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Tairāwhiti health services are asking whānau to help ease pressure on Gisborne Hospital's Emergency Department, which is currently experiencing very high demand.

A late wave of influenza and other winter illness is contributing to increased demand across the health system.

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Health providers across Tairāwhiti are working together to increase access to primary and virtual healthcare and support the Emergency Department to ensure whānau continue to receive the care they need.

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There are also some simple things we can all do to help.

Stay home if you're sick

• If you have flu or other respiratory symptoms, stay home where possible and give yourself time to recover.
• If you need to go out while you are unwell, wear a mask to help reduce the spread of illness and protect others, particularly kaumātua and whānau who may be more vulnerable to becoming seriously unwell.

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Choose the right care for your needs

• If you need healthcare but it is not an emergency, contact your GP or primary healthcare provider in the first instance.
• Health providers are working together to increase primary and virtual healthcare options to help manage current demand.

• Choosing the right care for your needs helps reduce pressure on Gisborne Hospital's Emergency Department and keeps emergency care available for those who need it most.

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If you are seriously unwell, seek urgent medical care

• Gisborne Hospital's Emergency Department remains available for people who need emergency care.

• Please do not delay seeking urgent medical attention because you are concerned about current demand.
• Protect yourself and your whānau
• Influenza can cause serious illness, particularly for kaumātua, young tamariki and people with existing health conditions.

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Protect yourself and your whānau – get your flu vaccination.

• Check in on vulnerable whānau, help them access healthcare when they need it, and avoid visiting them if you are unwell.
• Health services across Te Tairāwhiti are continuing to work together to respond to current winter pressures and support whānau across our communities.

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Stay home if you're sick. Stop the spread. Choose the right care. Get flu vaxxed. Look after our whānau.

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