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Huge queues at Geelong Centrelink offices Barwon Health cancels all non-urgent surgeries, tightens rules for visitors 500 cops to enforce state’s lockdown

BARWON Health will halt non-urgent surgeries as it moves to combat the worsening coronavirus crisis.

Chief executive Frances Diver yesterday announced the service will “roll back and close” all non-urgent services, which will include outpatient appointments.

Elective surgeries will not be performed unless categorised as urgent. The surgery waitlist is expected to blow out as the pandemic continues.

Barwon Health did not comment on the impact the move would have on elective surgery waitlists when asked by the Geelong Advertiser.

Critical and urgent services will be maintained as the health service implements changes to protect vulnerable patients.

Some services will be provided over the phone or telehealth where possible.

It comes as another case of coronavirus was confirmed for Greater Geelong, with the region moving from eight diagnoses on Sunday to nine yesterday.

The number of confirmed cases for the Surf Coast remained at two.

Sixty-one new cases of coronavirus were added to the statewide tally, with 355 cases in Victoria as of yesterday.

Ms Diver said patients will be notified of changes in coming days.

“We plan to redeploy staff who have had their workloads reduced, and we are exploring different options to make the most of our workforce, prioritising the health and safety of our patients and staff,” she said.

Meanwhile, Barwon Health has banned visitors aged 16 and under from its facilities.

It’s understood the move was implemented because children are more likely asymptomatic.

It’s believed there could be exceptions in some instances.

Patients can have one visitor at a time for one hour under new guidelines aimed to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ms Diver said Barwon Health’s cafeteria would also be closed to the public as the service embraces social distancing measures.

“We’re also encouraging people to work from home where possible,” Ms Diver said.

“We are working as hard as we can to make sure we protect the community but also that we protect our healthcare workers.”