Long Jetty Healthcare Centre changes announced to cater for Covid peak

The temporary closure of a 22-bed healthcare unit at Long Jetty have been announced as Covid demands are expected to increase.

The temporary closure of a unit at the Long Jetty healthcare facility has been announced as demand for Covid services is expected to increase.

Rumours have been circulating around potential closures among staff and patients at the healthcare facility run by Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) in recent days.

A spokeswoman from CCLHD has confirmed that there will be changes to the 22-bed subacute and transitional care unit at Long Jetty.

“Demand on the NSW health system is expected to peak in mid to late October,” she said.

Long Jetty Healthcare Centre offers a range of medical services.

“As part of our COVID-19 response planning, the Central Coast Local Health District is temporarily repurposing the Long Jetty Sub-acute and Transitional Care Unit to support a potential increase in demand across the district.”

This means that the unit can be used for a variety of Covid-related support measures from taking patients to providing support in the community.

The spokeswoman said patients from the unit would be transferred to either Wyong Hospital, Woy Woy Transitional Care Unit or another facility depending on their needs.

“Staff are being consulted about redeployment to an appropriate service, such as the Woy

Woy Transitional Care Unit or Wyong Hospital, to support the increase in patients moving

there,” she said.

Patients will be relocated to Wyong Hospital or Woy Woy Transitional Care Unit.

“All patients and staff from this 22-bed unit are being supported through the changes and kept

directly informed.

She said all of the other community health services based at Long Jetty Healthcare Centre such as the renal dialysis unit, child and family health, mental health and palliative care services would continue to operate without change.

“Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our patients, staff and community during these challenging times remains our top priority,” the spokeswoman said.

Sub acute care includes inpatient care and rehabilitation for patients with an acute illness, injury or disease, while transitional care assists patients as they transition from hospital back to home or another level of care.