Hopes the re-opening of a Gisborne health service, will provide some relief to the stretched Emergency Department

Tatai Whanau Tairawhiti After-Hours Healthcare, has opened today, and will be available on weekends and public holidays.

It's been about a year, since a similar service ceased in the region.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Gisborne Branch Officer, Dr Carol Chan, says she's seeing this as a positive change, compared to what they have had to deal with.

But she says the impact, and how much it improves, is yet to be seen.