Alfred Health continuing to provide care for the most urgent cases during Code Brown
Alfred Health is continuing to provide urgent care to the community, despite the significant challenges posed by current wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
All urgent (category 1) surgery continues to be completed within the clinically recommended 30-day period as well as emergency surgeries that come through our Emergency and Trauma Centre.
Director of Surgical Services, Professor Wendy Brown says that the surgical team is working tirelessly to perform all urgent surgeries in the recommended time frames. Most surgeries are undertaken at The Alfred though some are performed at our private hospital partners where necessary.
The Alfred's Emergency and Trauma Centre is continuing to meet the spike in demand during the Code Brown.
Acting Director of Emergency Carl Luckhoff said that while things look a little different, the same principle – providing care to people who need treatment urgently – remains the same.
“If you require urgent care, whether for COVID or any other urgent condition, you will be seen and cared for,” he said.
“Urgent cases are our focus. If it is an emergency, we really want to see you here. If it is not urgent, we are asking the community to help us by consulting their GP or Nurse On Call before presenting to the ED.
While the current phase of the pandemic has produced significant challenges for Australia's largest ICU, Director Prof Steve McGloughlin said those who need intensive care treatment are receiving it.
“We’ve always made space for anyone who needs intensive care… the whole system is proud of that,” he said.
“We’ve made a really strong commitment to provide intensive care at The Alfred. Providing an ICU bed for those who need it is an absolute priority.”
