Jordan Doherty
In response to escalting COVID-19 cases, Sunshine Hospital has escalated its response to stage 3, effective as of December 3.
The Health System Response was developed to provide the Victorian acute health system a strategy to maintain high-quality COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 care, including elective activity.
Hospitals now have the highest number of COVID-19 patients since August. The state recorded more than 26,900 new infections in the past week according to Department of Health figures. Over the past three months, 3,468 COVID patients were hospitalised in Victoria.
A spokesperson for Sunshine Hospital said, “The whole intention behind the stage 3 response is to try and reduce the spread of COVID-19″.
“Ultimately it is determined by how many patients there are in hospital across the state. Individual health services have to determine what is the best way forward for them, based on their own number of patients and case, while following the plan.
“As of right now, it looks like more things are set to move to telehealth, obviously some appointments will have to still be in person – face to face – but depending on each case, where things can be done virtually or over the phone they will be. The health teams will also more regular meetings, possibly several times a week.
“There will more than likely be more requests for staff to cancel their leave, unfortunately. This is in no way forcing them to not take their leave, it obviously has to be a mutual agreement.”
