IF Swan Hill were to have a COVID-19 scare like Mildura this week, there’s two vital things Swan Hill District Health (SHDH) chief executive Peter Abraham wants people to know.
First, SHDH staff have a detailed preparation plan in case of an outbreak.
“All of our frontline staff have been trained for this scenario, with this training also being constantly updated,” Mr Abraham said.
“We have PPE (personal protective equipment) and ventilators ready to go.”
Under current COVID rules in Victoria, patients presenting with symptoms would also be transferred to a metropolitan hospital, such as The Alfred.
“However, we are prepared to treat them if they had to stay here,” Mr Abraham said.
The second important fact is that, compared to Mildura, Swan Hill has a smaller medical staff, but help would be available.
“Mildura Base Public Hospital has approximately 45 staff currently in isolation,” Mr Abraham said this week.
“But they also have Swan Hill staff assisting, and if we had to have staff working double shifts or isolating, they would be prepared to step in for us as well.”
Mr Abraham said COVID-19 wouldn’t only potentially affect frontline medical staff, but also people such as cooks, cleaners and aged-care workers.
“We also need people on the ground at clinical testing sites,” Mr Abraham said.
Mr Abraham said it was positive to see the public embrace testing in Swan Hill and Mildura, and said containing the outbreak at the beginning with the assistance of the public would be crucial.
“When we lose frontline medical staff to isolation, or even if they have COVID themselves, we lose people who are needed for the critically wounded, the chronically ill, or sudden emergencies,” he said.
