Public Assured Hospitals Can Handle COVID Case Surge Over Next ...

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VideoView real estatePress Releases from AAPContact usHelp CentrePrivacy PolicyAbout usSt George & Sutherland Shire Leader's complete view of propertyHome/News/Local NewsPublic assured hospitals can handle COVID case surge over next monthBy Murray TrembathUpdated September 6 2021 - 3:10pm, first published 2:30pmBy Murray TrembathUpdated September 6 2021 - 3:10pm, first published 2:30pmSaveShareDr Nhi Nguyen. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams / AAP

Extra areas in St George Hospital and Sutherland Hospital have been identified as additional intensive care units if needed to accommodate the surge in COVID cases over the next month.

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Modelling released by the state government shows an expectation of 1100 to 2000 coronavirus cases a day until mid-September in local government areas of concern, which include Georges River and Bayside.

However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, a senior health department official and an intensive care unit specialist doctor, who helped prepare emergency plans all expressed confidence on Monday the hospital system would manage, and everyone who requires intensive care treatment will receive it.

Ms Berejiklian said cases were expected to peak in the next week or so, with the maximum number of ICU beds required in early to mid October.

"Our surge capacity, including staff, is 1550 beds," she said.

"We certainly don't have to use all those beds and staff because we know what pressure that will put in the system, but I want everyone to be reassured the capacity is there."

Dr Nhi Nguyen, a staff specialist at the intensive Care Unit at Nepean Hospital, who is part of a team which has spent 18 months preparing for such pressure, said every hospital had been asked to identify areas where they could set up an extra ICU if needed and staff from other areas of the hospital who could be trained and brought in.

Registers for the staff needed had been set up, simulations carried out.

Dr Nguyen said the hospital network would provide one very large intensive care unit, with patients being moved when necessary between hospitals.

"We have amazing visibility of where our patients are across the health system," she said.

"When you hear stories of patients needing to be diverted that's actually a sign the system is working.

"The best and timely care for a patient is not in an ambulance in the driveway of an ED - it may be better to divert across the city.

"We will try to continue to move patients around and to bring staffing to those areas under strain.

"I am really confident we have plans in place."

Dr Nguyen said, "I can't emphasise how difficult and exhausting this is going to be for our staff".

"But we're supporting each other in may ways and together we'll get through this," she said.

"We are making sure that staff have adequate breaks and we make sure they have time off.

"You will have heard stories and reflections from staff about having to work double shifts.

"Everyone is tired, we recognise that, but we check in and make sure everyone's ok."

Dr Nguyen said, "We are used to looking after critically ill people but our staff wont be used to seeing the number of cases we are seeing at the moment and the number that are going to come through the doors".

"We know there are medical staff and nursing staff who will feel a a little bit uncomfortable with what they are being asked to do, but I am really confident we have such a well connected and supported environment that patients will continue to get care when they need it," she said.

"We have planned an intensive care advisory service -a phone line [staff] can call to get advice on both clinical and equipment issues."

Health Department deputy secretary Susan Pearce said, "This will be an incredibly difficult and challenging time for our health system".

"The plans that are put in place, however, are only as good as the people who deliver them and my message to the public is we have amazing health staff who are out there each and every day working really hard".

"My message is to reassure the community anyone who needs ICU care will get it and it will continue to be delivered by our exceptional staff."

Ms Pearce said at least 90 per cent of people with COVID are cared for in the community.

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Murray Trembath

JournalistSt George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news.Email: [email protected] George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news.Email: [email protected]

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