Private hospitals to help with public surgery caseloads

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has announced that the nation’s private hospitals are ready and willing to alleviate pressure on the public hospitals by taking on some of the elective surgery caseload.

APHA CEO Michael Roff said there is capacity in private hospitals and a commitment from the private sector to play their part in ensuring Australians receive the care they need.

“The whole Australian healthcare system needs to work together to weather this potential crisis,” he said.

“Many states have already committed to addressing their elective surgery waiting lists with the help of the private hospital sector — we expect others will move to do the same.

“The private hospitals sector is working with states, territories and the federal government to be part of the solution for Australia at this time. Private hospitals are in discussions with their local public hospitals, health districts and state health departments about matching capacity to potential need,” he said.

Roff explained that there were some concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment to ensure surgery can go ahead, but this was also being discussed with government.

“It is essential the healthcare system in Australia mobilises together to ensure we are able to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

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