We have some significant updates to announce in today’s Operations Bulletin.
First, we’re pleased to let you know that, from today, the Sunshine Hospital COVID testing clinic will be open to household members of Western Health staff. Given the long waiting times at testing sites across the state, we hope this initiative will make it easier for those you live with to get tested and keep safe.
Second, our vaccination team is now offering COVID vaccinations to pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s. Previously we had been providing a referral slip to one of our vaccination hubs, however this should make it even easier for our maternity patients to protect themselves – and their babies and families – from COVID.
Finally, the State Government has announced changes to elective surgery. From today, January 6, elective surgery is restricted to urgent elective surgery procedures only, including Category 1 admissions. These changes apply to all metropolitan health services, including Western Health, as well as some regional services. The restrictions are intended to ensure that capacity in Victoria’s health system continues to be available to treat patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation, while also ensuring other priority patients continue to receive treatment.
Please read the full details about testing at Sunshine Hospital and elective surgery changes in the bulletin below.
I’d like to finish by asking everyone to please be patient with each other. The current COVID outbreak is challenging for us all, both personally and professionally, and I understand people may be feeling frustrated, however let’s be kind to each other and keep working together – just as the Western Health team has done so incredibly well throughout the pandemic.
Regards
John
Acting Executive Director Operations
Testing for household members at Sunshine Hospital
The Sunshine Hospital COVID Testing Clinic is now open to members of your household.
Opening hours: The service for household members is open 10.30am-4pm. (Opening hours for Asymptomatic Western Health staff remain at 7am-5.30pm. Symptomatic staff from 9am to 5.30pm.
Entry (if accessing testing for household members): Main Pod 1 entrance off Furlong Road NOT the main hospital entrance.
Conditions: Household members must attend the clinic with the staff member, who will be required to show their Western Health ID badge.
*While some staff are now eligible for RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) kits, they are NOT available for household members.
Changes to elective surgery
In response to the current high demand on health services, Victoria’s Department of Health has placed restrictions on non-urgent elective surgery, from today, Thursday, January 6.
The restrictions apply to public, private and day procedure centres across metropolitan Melbourne and some regional centres.
Pre-planned elective surgery (procedures already arranged before this announcement) scheduled for admission on the 6 January 2022 and 7 January 2022 inclusive, may occur where it is not safe and/or logistically possible to postpone.
These changes are intended to ensure that capacity in the health system continues to be available to treat patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation, while also ensuring other priority patients continue to receive treatment.