Elective surgery, dental work cancelled for thousands of Coast residents

MORE than 4700 Gold Coasters in need of elective surgery will have to wait longer for care as hospitals prepare for the worst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday that all elective surgery would be cancelled, with the exception of category one and some category two cases.

“This will apply in both the public and the private hospital systems,” Mr Morrison said.

“The cancellation of elective surgery will allow for the preservation of resources including personal protective equipment and allow health services private and public prepare for their role in the COVID-19 outbreak.”

As of February, 7263 Gold Coasters were in line for elective treatment, 390 of whom were category one patients requiring surgery within 30 days.

More than 2073 locals were classified as category 2, which is defined as having a condition causing pain, dysfunction or disability that would need surgery within 90 days.

Almost 4798 people were listed as category 3 patients. A majority of Gold Coasters were seeking orthopaedic treatment or eye surgery.

Mr Morrison’s announcement comes as local public hospitals shut down a majority of dental health offerings.

From Monday, all general or routine dental appointments had been postponed until further notice. Emergencies

will still be seen at Robina Dental Clinic. About 5680 Gold Coasters are waiting for general dental appointments through the public service.

All services at the Southport Health Precinct or Palm Beach dental Clinic have also been stopped, as have services to Gold Coast schools.