Hospital services under pressure

West Gippsland Healthcare Group has activated an internal code yellow with longer than usual wait times expected to continue for patients.

The code yellow was activated on Friday night. It is the third time this year that staff shortages have put the hospital into emergency management mode with a state wide code brown in January and a WGHG code yellow declared in May.

WGHG chief executive officer Dan Weeks said like many hospitals around the state, the hospital was struggling with workforce shortages as it navigated the ever-changing environment of COVID-19.

“The plan will involve re-deployment of staff from less-urgent areas to critical service areas in our emergency department, freeing staff to where they are most needed.

“The community should not be alarmed at the activation of code yellow plans.

“While the health service is under strain, calling code yellow will enable us to continue to deliver critical services to our community,” Mr Weeks said.

A code yellow can be activated when a health service has reached its capacity, meaning all acute beds in the wards and emergency department are full with limited movement.

The code yellow is reviewed daily.

Mr Weeks urged community members to only attend the emergency department if they need urgent care and to a GP first if the health episode is not urgent.

“People should call triple 000 if they require an ambulance. “Please be patient with our staff – they are doing their best under difficult circumstances

“You will be cared for if you present to the ED and it isn’t an emergency, but the most sick or injured will be cared for first and you may experience long waiting times,” he said.

The Department of Health has been notified.