Western Health is urgently looking to expand its Intensive Care Units as it prepares for a possible COVID-19 outbreak.
Western Health executive director of operations Natasha Toohey said preparations were being made for the worst case scenario.
“As we’ve seen around the world, it’s very difficult to predict where outbreaks will occur,“ Ms Toohey said.
“Western Health has spent the past two months preparing, across all areas of our organisation, for a wide range of scenarios … [we have] plans in place to expand our intensive care units if required. This involves two main areas of preparation – getting the physical spaces ready and equipped and training additional staff to be ready to work in those areas.“
According to Department of Health and Human Services figures there were 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Brimbank last week.
Ms Toohey said the organisation was looking to recruit additional health professionals, particularly those who are trained or have worked in intensive care, emergency and acute hospital-based areas.
“We are also very keen to hear from staff who may be interested in joining us and have not worked for a period of time. We have really supportive education and development programs that will support people in joining our team,“ she said.
In February, Western Health’s chief executive Russell Harrison commissioned a dedicated COVID-19 team, including a clinical director and infectious diseases experts, tasked with developing an organisation-wide readiness plan.
Ms Toohey said the team has rapidly grown to include all of the senior leadership group at Western Health.
“Our organisation-wide readiness involves all areas of the organisation – every single clinical area, logistics, engineering, education and support services,“ she siad.
Critical care registered nurses, registered nurses, enrolled nurses and patient care attendants interested in joining the Western Health team should email: recruitNMWU@wh.org.au
Medical staff should contact: WHMWU@wh.org.au
