Full force of flu season sees elective surgery cancelled in Gold Coast hospitals

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PEOPLE with the flu are taking up so many desperately needed beds at Gold Coast hospitals that elective surgery has been put on hold.

Gold Coast Health, which runs Gold Coast University and Robina hospitals, has brought in the ban after the number of flu cases rose early.

Flu case numbers usually spike in August.

Meetings are being held twice a day to make sure each facility has enough beds to take on the extra workload, with non-urgent elective cases cancelled yesterday. Of the 49 patients diagnosed with the flu at the hospitals in the past week, 25 needed a bed.

That is up from four in the last week of June with only one patient admitted.

Dr John Gerrard, head of infectious diseases, said the pressure on the hospitals would only increase.

“It seems to be a pretty heavy and intense season,” Dr Gerrard said.

“It’s quite likely we will see a sustained impact on the hospitals for a few weeks yet.

“You get the dual shock — one is the increased activity with influenza that hits the hospital, but the staff get sick as well and you get absences — so it’s always a rough time.”

Jane Hancock, Gold Coast Health executive director, operations, said cancelling surgery was a part of the winter bed strategy but only applied to people who had not been moved in the past.

She urged patients to consider all options before turning to the hospital.

“The emergency department will be particularly busy and that is why it’s essential that people consider all their care options during this period,” Ms Hancock said.

“While anyone experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath should immediately report to emergency, we need to ensure the right patients are seen by the right people.”

Dr Andrew Weissenberger, of the Hope Island Medical Centre, said GPs also had seen a spike in cases.

“We’re definitely starting to see an influx of flu patients, there’s no doubt about it, and it’s slightly early,” Dr Weissenberger said.

“The message there is obviously about protection as much as possible.

“It’s not too late to vaccinate if you haven’t vaccinated, particularly for the elderly and pregnant women.”

For non-urgent health advice call 13 HEALTH.

Source: GoldCoast Bulletin