Elective surgery restart discussions commence
Northeast Health Wangaratta’s Chief Executive, Tim Griffiths said that we are currently reviewing the details of the Prime Minister and Federal Health Minister’s announcement on Wednesday, to increase elective surgery category 2 and some category 3 procedures.
For NHW, these procedures will include:
- Procedures for children under 18 years of age
- Joint replacements (including knees, hips and shoulders)
- Endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures
“We are looking at a gradual restart of the elective surgery, potentially increasing up to 25%,” Mr Griffiths said.
“The Victorian Department of Health and Humans Services (DHHS) is working with NHW to establish what our increased personal protective equipment, staffing and facility needs will be. From this they will determine how to support this as they consider all the needs across the state”, Mr Griffiths said.
“This could take up to two weeks before we get DHHS approval to go ahead”.
“Our partnership of ‘public in private’ with the Wangaratta Private Hospital and with our medical workforce will be an advantage in this elective surgery restart”, Mr Griffith said.