Colds, influenza congesting hospitals
WINTER WAIT: With a winter continue comes an boost in a series of people seeking medical assistance for cold and influenza symptoms.
Got a cough, cold, or flu? Consider whether the puncture dialect is a best place for you.
Bendigo Health comparison puncture consultant Dr Nathan Bushby pronounced a puncture dialect was experiencing a likely winter swell in cough and cold symptoms, many of that would be suitable to revisit a GP in a initial instance.
“We are also saying an boost in gastroenteritis symptoms some of which, again, would be suitable to being managed by a GP or staying during home,” he said.
“These increases are anniversary and we conduct a resources for these likely increases in demand.”
Between Jan and March, 6555 patients were treated in a hospital’s puncture department, though not eliminated to an quadriplegic bed. They stayed during a sanatorium for 4 hours or less.
Ninety-one per cent of non-urgent patients presenting to Bendigo Hospital puncture dialect were treated within dual hours during the initial entertain of this year, Department of Health statistics show.
That statistic excludes people who left during their possess risk but diagnosis and those who left after clinical recommendation per treatment.
Bendigo Health’s comments come after a Royal Children’s Hospital took to amicable media to report a vast number of children watchful in a puncture dialect with cough and cold symptoms.
“At 1pm [on Wednesday] there were 83 children watchful to be seen,” a post read.
“The many severely harmed or sickest children are always seen initial during puncture dialect so children with reduction obligatory conditions now face wait times of adult to 8 hours to see a doctor.
”Of course, if your child is critically ill, we should call 000 or move them to a puncture department. But during this bustling period, for reduction obligatory care, greatfully cruise visiting your internal hospital or ubiquitous practitioner to equivocate longer than common wait times. If required, they will impute we to a Royal Children’s Hospital.”
The healthdirect website advises people endangered about cold or influenza symptoms to see their doctor, or call a 24-hour healthdirect hotline on 1800 022 222.
