Australian Medical Association chair of general practice Dr Lee Jones raises concerns over Cairns Hospital in Covid fourth wave

A top doctor has expressed “considerable concern” over whether the region’s health service will cope as the Far North braces for a fourth Covid wave.

A top doctor has expressed “considerable concern” over whether the hospital will cope as the Far North braces for a fourth Covid wave.

Australian Medical Association Queensland chair of general practice Dr Lee Jones said he wanted people to follow the amber system as directed by the chief health officer.

“From the very beginning the reason for vaccinating was not just to prevent Covid but preventing hospitals getting over run by other illnesses,” Dr Jones said.
“At any point in time there is considerable concern.

“We are still concerned about the effect on the hospital.”

Dr Jones said if elective surgeries were halted again because of Covid patients could experience significant delays in getting important procedures done, including hip replacements and other major operations.

Dr Lee Jones has revealed his concern in the fourth Covid wave. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We in Cairns had elective surgeries canned during the previous wave,” he said.

“There is concern if there is a large peak of Covid that Cairns Hospital could also stop them.”

Dr Jones’ comments come as the AMA president professor Steve Robson said he’d place a $1000 bet on hospitals crumbing under pandemic pressures over the holiday season.

Dr Jones said he urged people to get their booster shots.

“I think a lot of us have had quite a lot of time between vaccines,” he said.

“There’s potential to lose immunity.”

But another concern for Dr Jones was the lack of testing.

“If you think you have Covid please test yourself – there is a fear people aren’t testing anymore because the numbers are far higher than numbers being shown,” he said.

Executive Director of medical services Dr. Don Mackie said it was a day by day assessment over whether the hospital would pause elective surgeries. Picture: Brendan Radke

When Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service executive director of medical service Dr Don Mackie was asked if elective surgeries would pause during this wave he said demand would be a deciding factor.

“That’s probably a day-by-day assessment and it plays into the very high levels of demand that we are seeing in hospital,” he said.

But the region was expected to peak after South-East Queensland, most likely near Christmas.
Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker had some advice as more people travel through airports over Christmas.

“We are closely following the health guidelines and will update things as and when the government advises,” he said.

“I would encourage people if they are travelling regular to get a booster and if they have a few concerns to wear a mask.”

Originally published as Australian Medical Association chair of general practice Dr Lee Jones raises concerns over Cairns Hospital in Covid fourth wave