NSLHD response and preparedness to Covid-19: update From building wards in under a week to training new nurses in intensive care, Northern Sydney Local
Health District is using all available resources to prepare for COVID-19. New social distancing measures appear to be slowing the spread of COVID-19, giving hospitals valuable time in preparing for an anticipated surge of patients in coming weeks and months. Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have already doubled their capacity and teams of experts have established a High Dependency Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital in under a week – something that would normally take years to do. NSLHD Chief Executive Deb Willcox said the High Dependency Unit meant there was now extra clinical space for those patients who required a higher level of care, but not necessarily intensive care. “The speed in which our staff have been able to achieve some of this is remarkable,” Ms Willcox said. “Everyone is working together, no matter what speciality they come from, to ensure we are in the best possible place to care for being greeted by staff. As part of the district’s response to COVID-19, entry points at Hornsby Ku-ring- gai, Ryde, Royal North Shore and Mona Vale hospitals, have changed. In an effort to reduce the spread of transmission, hospitals are limiting the number of people coming into hospitals by temporarily closing some entrances. Other entrances are manned by staff or security who may provide visitors with important information on COVID-19.
Ryde Hospital staff with a simple message for the community
patients with COVID-19.” More negative pressure single rooms have been created, meaning more infectious patients will be isolated to protect staff and patients. Training has begun of more nurses who will be upskilled in intensive care, under the supervision of ICU nurses and doctors. The district is increasing support for older people in the community who are some of the most vulnerable residents. Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery Jenny Neilsen said teams of nurses were visiting dozens of residential aged care facilities across the district, testing residents, providing education and offering quarantine packs. “We believe these measures people who absolutely needed to be at hospital should attend. “We have reduced the number of visitors a patients can have, to one person, unless the patient is a child or in a critical situation where loved ones need to be with them,” she said. “I am seeking the community’s help to make sure we reduce the number of people moving through our hospitals, unless they absolutely to need to be there. “A staff member will ask you a few simple questions
will assist a large number of older people, delivering help to their doorstep and providing valuable assistance,” she said. To look after the staff and their families, a Staff and Family COVID-19 Swab Clinic has also opened. “This is an important additional service just for our staff and their families,” Ms Neilsen said. Hospitals have now set up visitor check points at entrances to reduce the number of visitors. Other measures also include reserving outpatients services for urgent patients only, as well as limiting our café services to take-away only, which is to strengthen social distancing. when you arrive to protect staff and patients. Please understand this is to protect you, staff and patients at this time. “If you have symptoms similar to COVID-19, staff will direct you to our COVID-19 clinic on site.” All cafes at hospitals now only provide takeaway services in line with recent changes by the Federal Government on social distancing. There is also increased signage around hospitals giving guidance to visitors.
Change to entrances at hospitals Significant changes to hospital entrances have been made with visitors now NSLHD’s Chief Executive, Deb Willcox, said only those
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 6| 7 APRIL 2020
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