Coronavirus: Elective surgeries postponed as Central Coast Health doubles ICU capacity
Patients waiting for elective surgery will be contacted while outpatient appointments will be done over the phone as the local health system braces for an influx of COVID-19 and winter flu cases.
Central Coast
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Some elective surgeries will be postponed as Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) works to free up intensive care capacity in the face of a looming COVID-19 crisis.
It comes as public hospitals across the state aim to double intensive care capacity as NSW Health responds to the virus pandemic and the upcoming winter flu season.
In a statement CCLHD said it had been planning for this for many weeks and was
adjusting its response according to its increasing knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 and the emergence of evidence about its clinical management.
A key component of these plans is ensuring that patients with the highest clinical urgency are prioritised.
The District has implemented changes to non-urgent surgery and outpatient clinics as part of
its response. This includes working with clinicians to prioritise surgery cases which will include the rescheduling of some cases to allow us to enhance intensive care capacity.
It will also conduct outpatient clinic appointments over the phone or video where possible to
reduce close contact.
Chief executive Dr Andrew Montague said there would be no impact to emergency and
trauma patients, as well as urgent surgery cases.
“Emergency, trauma and urgent surgery cases will occur with our clinicians assessing each
patient’s clinical need as to the urgency of care needed,” he said.
“This move will free up staff working in or supporting our operating theatres to immediately
undertake more specialised training so they can be redeployed to work in intensive care or
other critical care areas.
“The aim is to double our current intensive care capacity.
“Meanwhile, to further reduce any possible risk for patients and staff, outpatient clinics will be
moving to phone consultations and telehealth review, where possible, and if face-to-face
consultations are required, social distancing measures will be implemented in waiting areas.”
Dr Montague said CCLHD staff would communicate directly with affected patients to advise
them of any changes to their upcoming surgery or outpatient clinic appointment.
“As has been foreshadowed from the outset of this crisis, it is anticipated that significant
adjustments will be required as we prepare our facilities for the coming weeks and months,”
he said.
“While we appreciate any rescheduling is regrettable, we hope the community will
understand it is necessary to ensure those with the most urgent need are attended to first.
“As part of the pandemic plans in place, we are also working with local private providers to
outsource some of our non-urgent elective surgeries, helping to minimise the impact on
those currently waiting for a procedure.”
It comes after restrictions were already been put in place limiting the number of people who can visit patients during reduced visiting hours from 6pm to 8pm and visitors not entering hospitals or healthcare facilities if they were feeling unwell.
“We urge everyone to be part of the solution by practising good hygiene, staying home if you
are sick and keeping your distance from others as much as possible by social distancing,” Dr
Montague said.
NSW Health will receive $700 million extra funding as part of a $2.3 billion health boost announced by the NSW Government last week which will double ICU capacity, prepare for additional COVID-19 testing, purchasing of additional ventilators and medical equipment, establishing acute respiratory clinics and bringing forward elective surgeries to private hospitals.