Tara Murray
A new range of measures to help further strengthen Victoria’s health system have been announced, as has a possible return date for elective surgery.
The $1.4 billion package will ensure doctors, nurses and paramedics have the resources and support they need to continue caring for Victorians at home or in a hospital.
Public hospitals will share in $938 million to help cover coronavirus-related costs, support dedicated front-line workers and continue surge payments for healthcare staff.
Victoria’s PPE stockpile will get a $161 million boost and more than $30 million has been allocated for critical medicines and equipment used to treat patients, including pulse oximeters, humidifiers and air purifiers.
A further $225 million will go towards easing the pressure on hospitals and ambulances, including, a $196 million to expand the COVID Positive Pathways program, $21 million to implement a state-wide virtual triage service, following a successful trial at Northern
Hospita and almost $8 million to fund eight additional GP respiratory clinics and establish five urgent care centres.
Almost $35 million will extend surge measures put in place last year, while the recruitment of 120 paramedics will be brought forward.
A further $11.5 million will be used to reduce the delay in discharging medically-well COVID-19 positive patients from hospital by improving patient transport across 13 sites.
With hospitalisations due to COVID-19 decreasing, a staged returned to elective surgery is on the cards.
Depending on case numbers and hospitalisations, the Health Minister will consider resuming elective surgery in a number of steps, based on advice from the health sector and health experts.
From Monday February 7, private hospitals and day procedure centres will be able to resume day surgery at up to 50 per cent of normal levels.
Subject to the continued decline of the rolling seven day average for hospitalisations to safe operating levels and formalising arrangements with private hospitals to have capacity to support the public health system for COVID-19 response as required, the Minister for Health will consider resuming more elective surgery – at up to 50 per cent in Melbourne and up to 75 per cent in regional areas.
When the average drops under 600 hospitalisations, the Minister will review the settings and consider if metropolitan public hospitals can resume some non-urgent elective surgery, pending an assessment of staff availability and furloughs.
Health Minister Martin Foley said this package will help our health services provide the best possible care for Victorians.
“Our doctors, nurses and paramedics have done a magnificent job as our front line of defence against the pandemic and we’re backing them by providing the support they deserve.”
“We understand that this has been a difficult time for people waiting for surgery.
Bringing back private day procedures will help thousands of patients, while balancing the pressures on our healthcare system.”
