Hospitals prepare for influx of flu cases as Victorians told to get vaccinated, stay home if sick

VICTORIA’S major hospitals are gearing up for an influx of flu cases this winter. Here’s what you can do to help stop the spread.

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June 21, 2018 - 3:04PM

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VICTORIA’S major hospitals are gearing up for an influx of patients struck down by the flu.

Royal Melbourne Hospital has opened a new 12-bed ward to ease the pressure on its emergency department as winter hits.

It will keep patients who need further tests or treatment for up to 10 hours, before they are either admitted or released.

The ward will run from 7am-10pm until October.

The Royal Melbourne is one of 17 health services handed $50 million for extra beds, doctors and nurses to combat the flu season.

Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Dr Lou Irving said the hospital was disrupted by 300 “unexpected” flu admissions over five weeks last year.

(Health Minister Jill Hennessy gets a flu shot from pharmacist Zoe Escott. Picture: Josie Hayden

He said last year’s flu season was a “perfect storm” only seen every four to five years but warned that hospitals needed to be prepared.

“This initative allows us to cope with that sudden surge,” Dr Irving said.

“It increases our capacity to respond and allows the rest of the hospital to keep functioning and doing the normal care for people.

“The peak has not occurred yet so this preparation is very timely.”

Hospitals are reporting “sporadic” cases of the flu, including among people returning from overseas.

A new 12-bed ward has opened at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Picture: Josie Hayden

Dr Irving called for sick Victorians struck down by influenza to stay home from work or head to their GP.

He also urged people to get the flu jab.

“A lot of people vaccinated earlier concerned about an early flu season and that put a bit of a rush on the vaccine,” Dr Irving said.

“But there is now plenty of vaccine available and now is the perfect time to receive a vaccine.”

The initiative comes after a horror season last year that saw more than 200 Victorians die and a record 48,000-plus flu cases confirmed.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the $50 million funding boost better equipped Victoria’s health services to provide the best care this winter.

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