“There is a need for us to take some patients to be cared for at Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals that would otherwise be cared for at Waikato Hospital,” Anstis said. “Patient care is our top priority, and we are doing all we can to assist our colleagues at Waikato DHB at this time. “To help us with this, we would like to ask people to please only present at our emergency departments if it is an emergency. Christel Yardley/Stuff Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals are making room for Waikato DHB patients. “We would also like to ask that the community be patient with us during this time if any delays are experienced as a result of this ongoing work.”