NSW makes big change to surgeries as 30 deaths and 12,818 cases recorded

NSW will make a major change to a crucial part of its health system which was put under severe pressure by soaring Omicron infections.

Non-urgent elective surgery is set to return to all private and public hospitals and facilities across rural and regional NSW from February 7.

Premier Dominic Perrottet revealed the return of elective surgeries on Tuesday morning while welcoming public school students back into the classroom.

Non-urgent elective surgery is set to return to all private and public hospitals and facilities across rural and regional NSW from February 7. Picture Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire.

Elective procedures requiring overnight stay in hospital were suspended on January 10 amid Omicron’s rise, which led to soaring hospitalisations.

However, they are set to resume at 75 per cent capacity in private hospitals and 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels at public hospitals across regional and rural NSW.

Mr Perrottet said metropolitan areas will remain focused on the demand for Covid-19 patients.

“We recognise the effect these necessary restrictions have had on the lives of people requiring non-urgent elective surgery,” he said.

“I want to assure them we will be doing everything possible to return to full capacity in all of our hospitals as soon as possible.”

Elective surgery will be reintroduced in stages.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said only public hospitals in a position to resume elective surgery without compromising their ability to care for Covid patients and other ill people would do so.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard welcome students back to school at Ultimo Public School. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

NSW recorded 12,818 new cases and 30 new deaths on Tuesday.

There are now 2749 people with the virus in hospital, with 183 in intensive care and 70 on ventilators.

Infections have dropped once again after recording 13,026 infections and 27 deaths on Monday, after 13,354 cases were recorded on Sunday and 52 deaths – the state’s deadliest day yet.

The NSW government’s return-to-school plans are set to be tested on Tuesday as thousands of public school students return to the classroom.

While most Catholic school students returned to school on Monday, thousands of state pupils had to wait an extra day before putting on their uniform for the first time amid the state’s Omicron outbreak.

A slew of strict anti-virus protocols have been rolled out in an attempt to keep cases down, with parents told to test their children with rapid antigen tests twice a week after the government distributed eight million tests in preparation for classes.

Teachers must also test regularly and wear mandatory face masks while indoors while improved ventilation has been promised in school buildings.

Mr Perrottet confirmed the state government would review the processes after week two of school to ensure it is working to control the spread of the virus.

With students returning, Mr Perrottet unveiled a $155 million scheme for parents of primary school students on Monday to get access to $500 vouchers to help with the cost of before-and after-school care.

The vouchers will be available through Service NSW from February 28, the same app used to distribute the Dine and Discover vouchers rolled out last year, the government said.

Originally published as NSW makes big change to surgeries as 30 deaths and 12,818 cases recorded