TheDaily Examiner, 18 March 2020:
THE
Northern NSW Local Health District boss says the group is working
with North Coast Primary Health Network to ensure the region has an
appropriate and effective response to Covid-19 (coronavirus).
Chief
executive Wayne Jones said this included regular daily briefings at a
state and local level, sharing information with primary health
providers, providing advice on testing and monitoring, and working
with Queensland Health.
Covid-19/flu
clinics are established at Lismore Base Hospital and The Tweed
Hospital, for those with respiratory symptoms or fever and who were
at risk of Covid-19, such as those in contact with a Covid-19 case,
or those who had returned from overseas in the 14 days before the
onset of symptoms.
The
clinics are open from 10am to 6pm seven days a week.
People
do not need to call ahead to attend these clinics, but if attending
an Emergency Department outside these hours, or attending a GP, are
asked to phone ahead, or discuss symptoms with healthdirect on 1800
022 222.
A
spokeswoman said anyone with acute symptoms could present to an ED
and alert staff on arrival.
“As
with other public hospitals in NSW, we are arranging to double the
ICU capacity in hospitals in Northern NSW and to prepare for a
significant increase in respiratory presentations to Emergency
Departments,” Mr Jones said.
“All
our facilities are planning for a potential increase in presentations
of people with respiratory illness over the coming weeks and months,
and we’re working with NSW Health to maximise available critical
care resources.
“We
have not cancelled elective surgery, but are reviewing the need to
bring some cases forward, particularly those which may require
Intensive Care support, in light of the expected increase in demand
for ICU services in the coming weeks…...
