Although Covid numbers in the region have stabilised, dropping to around 250 compared to peaks of 570 plus in May, and 370 plus in July, the threat to the community, and the pressure on health services, remains real.

Bass Coast Health (BCH) CEO Jan Child has pleaded with locals to take particular care over the coming weeks to reduce pressure on the health system.

Ms Child said community transmission of respiratory illnesses remains higher now than ever before, and everyone should be implementing personal Covid precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.

“We know if people wear masks, avoid crowds, stay home if they have any symptoms, get tested and get vaccinated, then transmission is lower,” she said.

Ms Child said Covid, Influenza, other respiratory illnesses such as Rhinovirus, RSV, and Gastro are rife throughout Bass Coast and South Gippsland.

She said the Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital and the Cowes Urgent Care Centre are particularly busy, and there are times where patients are waiting several days in the Emergency Department before they can get a bed in an inpatient ward.

A large number of BCH staff have been ill, resulting in fewer healthcare workers available on a daily basis.

The health service faces staff shortfalls of between 30 to 70 people on any day, with staff off work due to illness.

“The number of beds we have available is less than usual, because we have less available staff, and there have been many days where patients who have been patiently waiting for their elective surgery have been cancelled due to lack of beds,” Ms Child said.

“These are tricky times. We are in the midst of another peak and while the case numbers are settling across the state, the impact on Wonthaggi Hospital will continue for a few more weeks.

“The whole health system is under duress and Bass Coast Health is no different.

“We know there are significant waiting times in ED. We may need to cancel other appointments on the day if staff are unwell, and we’ve had many occasions when we’ve had to cancel surgery because we do not have enough staff and beds.

“This will get better and, in the meantime, please be kind to our staff who are doing their very best in difficult circumstances.”

The Hospital called a Code Yellow last month because of staffing shortfalls and increased demand.

However, Ms Child said people who are unwell should attend for care and the most unwell people will be cared for as a priority.

In a bid to mitigate the staff shortfall, BCH has intensified its recruitment efforts by advertising locally and into metropolitan areas, and welcoming new permanent, locum and agency staff.

“We are so fortunate to have our own brilliant and agile team who have been continually picking up extra shifts to cover the shortfalls, but they’re already tired and they’ve been working in these extraordinary conditions for two-and-a-half years,” Ms Child said.

“That’s why we are asking the community to take simple precautions that will result in major benefits for our health service. Anything you can do to ease the pressure on our health service will enable us to provide the best possible treatment for those sick people who really need us.”

Covid precautions

Bass Coast Health has taken every measure possible to prepare for this next Covid wave. 

More low-pressure rooms have been created in the Acute Ward at Wonthaggi Hospital where patients with Covid and other respiratory illnesses are treated.

Low pressure rooms prevent potentially dangerous particles from inside the room flowing outside into non-contaminated areas.

Healthcare staff in these rooms wear full personal protective equipment to minimise their chances of contracting respiratory illnesses and from passing these on to other staff and patients.

Visitation at all Bass Coast Health sites has been restricted.

On the Acute/Sub-acute inpatient ward, one person per patient per day is permitted between the hours of 10am-12pm or 5pm-7pm. In the maternity ward, one person per patient per day is permitted between the hours of 10am-12pm or 6pm-8pm.

All visitors must be fully vaccinated against Covid and flu, must have a negative RAT and must wear a mask.