The movement of Southern District Health Board (SDHB) services to alert level two is another step back towards normality for the health system but it comes with some challenges, SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming says.

“We have a significant amount of work to catch up on the around 900 surgeries that were postponed and around 16,000 health care interactions that didn’t take place because of COVID-19.”

“I urge people in Southern to be cautious. We still have the threat of COVID-19 and we need to be vigilant, both within the health system and in our community,” Chris said.

Chris said the SDHB will be looking to build up on the lessons it has learned and the innovations that have arisen as part of the response to COVID-19. This includes things like increased use of telehealth, effective partnerships with primary care, and the work of the rural hospitals.

“I welcomed the government’s announcement of increased health funding for DHBs [on Tuesday May 12] and the money provided to help us catch up on the care that was delayed by COVID-19. Without a strong health sector, all other parts of our community are at risk.”

SDHB teams are looking at how to provide safe, effective services under alert level two.

“Moving to level two will greatly increase the number of people entering hospitals and this needs to be carefully managed, to keep our patients, staff and visitors safe. We will continue to screen both patients and visitors as they enter our facilities, and we are working on ways to be able to identify who has entered our hospitals and how we can trace them if we need to.”

While rules around visiting will be further relaxed, this is unlikely to start until next week, Chris said, as the SDHB must put in place screening procedures for greater numbers of people.

“This means, this week we will continue to allow one visitor per day and the visiting hours are between 2:00pm and 6:00pm.”

Chris also reminded the public about physical distancing in healthcare settings. “While we take physical distancing very seriously, please be aware to treat patients effectively, at times our staff will have very close engagement with patients, closer than one metre.”

If someone is being treated in the ‘green stream’ in SDHB facilities, staff may not be wearing PPE. For people being treated in the red stream, staff will be following defined PPE processes.  

“On behalf of Southern DHB I thank the people of Southern for their support, understanding and patience over this unprecedented time,” Chris said. “I urge you to stay vigilant and work together with us to keep all of our people safe as we continue this journey.”

PHOTO: Supplied