Elective surgeries paused for 48 hours at four Queensland hospitals

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Health authorities in Queensland have cancelled elective surgeries in some of the state's busiest hospitals due to a spike in flu and COVID cases. The pause will last 48 hours at this stage and affect at least 185 knee and hip replacements. More urgent category one surgeries will still go ahead.

Transcript

00:00More than 200 patients sought help at Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals late Tuesday night.

00:08Very sick with either flu or COVID.

00:11These presentations were effectively out of the blue and have put a significant strain on the system.

00:17Now non-urgent elective surgery has been paused at Metro North Hospital and health facilities for 48 hours.

00:25That includes the Royal Brisbane and Women's and Prince Charles Hospitals.

00:29Almost 200 people needing knee and hip operations will have to reschedule.

00:34Category 1 surgery, the more important surgery, we'll still have that surgery going ahead.

00:39We have capacity to deliver that.

00:41The stark increase in infections blamed on poor vaccination rates.

00:45Nearly 3,600 Queenslanders hospitalised with the flu so far this year, which is an increase of 16%.

00:52Over 90% of hospitalisations are being caused by unvaccinated people.

00:56And the problem isn't isolated to Brisbane.

00:58The strain felt from Rockhampton to the Gold Coast and Ipswich.

01:03Frontline health workers also being put at risk.

01:06The other challenge that the system is facing and that is that our sick leave is going up because doctors and nurses are getting sick as well.

01:13The message is clear. It's not too late.

01:16It's free and it's easy and it's quick.

01:19And you can save not only your life but someone else's life by getting the vaccine.

01:24The minister says the nurses' current industrial actions haven't contributed to surgery cancellations.

01:30That's why it's done on me.

01:32You've tried to sauberance!

01:36But NASA needs to pay attention to the pigeons and our utility system.

01:42How can you do this?

01:44You would agree with that.

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