All elective surgery, except urgent cases, has been cancelled in private and public hospitals, and some private hospitals are being mobilised to accept urgent surgery.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement at a press conference in Canberra at midday (25 March).
The decision was made in preparation to meet the looming public health emergency which threatens to overwhelm Australia’s hospital system
The decision was made in preparation to meet the looming public health emergency which threatens to overwhelm Australia’s hospital system:
- It will conserve vital reserves of medicines and other important hospital resources such as personal protective equipment, which is already in critical short supply.
- It will provide time for doctors and nurses to prepare for the management of the expected large numbers of critically ill patients,
- It will reduce the staff and patient risk of infection with the coronavirus.
The decision will be welcomed by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) which had joined forces with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) to advocate for such a step to be taken.
All surgical groups will consult and identify critical procedures that cannot be postponed. The Colleges reaffirmed their respect for the role of the Australian and New Zealand governments, health departments and health administrators in coordinating responses to this public health crisis. Additionally, they reiterated their commitment to collaborating to provide the best possible care for the community.
