Qld's top Xmas hospitalisations revealed

Queensland's emergency department staff are urging people to take extra care during the holiday season, with alcohol intoxication the top reason for festive hospital admissions.

Last year, Queensland emergency departments handled an extra 50,000 admissions and the Christmas period is one of the busiest times.

Chest pain, mental health issues, abdominal pain and sprains and broken bones all feature in the top ten reasons for emergency visits.

"There's a lot of people who don't really need to be here and don't need to hurt themselves," said Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Emergency Department (ED) specialist Dr Bill Lukin.

The ED treats between 180 and 300 patients per day.

"We've had a few nasty gas explosions in the last few years and that can certainly overwhelm the hospital for a short period of time," Dr Lukin said.

"We've coped quite well in the past but we'd rather not have to cope with that in the future."

Alcohol-related admissions were an issue for staff, he added, because large volumes occurred at the same time.

"One hundred people might come with severe intoxication and one of those people might be hiding a lethal injury," Dr Lukin said.

"Our responsibility is to find that one person."

Car accidents, drug addiction, gastro, heat stroke and animal bites and stings are also behind the most common festive admissions.

But Carol Jeffers, the hospital's emergency department assistant nursing director, said clinicians don't judge.

"Everyone gets treated the same," she said.

"It can be frustrating, but everybody has a right to health service here."

Health Minister Cameron Dick said Queenslanders could help reduce mental health-related admissions by thinking of those for whom Christmas is a challenge.

"It's a good time for Queenslanders to do what they do well and be good neighbours," Mr Dick said.

"Think about the people in your street and your suburb and maybe just drop in and say hello."