QUEENSLAND HEALTH GEARING UP FOR BUMPER FLU SEASON

Queensland Health has laid down comprehensive plans and strategies to deal with the upcoming flu season, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said last year saw one of the worst flu seasons ever recorded in Queensland, putting massive pressure on public hospitals.

“Last winter, twice as many Queenslanders with the flu were recorded than in each of the previous five years,” Mr Robertson said.

“A lack of GPs meant it had a huge impact on our emergency departments.

“7% of ED attendances during July, August and September last year were people with flu-like symptoms - around 2,200 in total.

“This additional workload can exacerbate bed block in our hospital and can even impact on surgery activity.

“Our hospitals have been very responsive this year, forming a range of strategies to minimise the flu impact on the public health system, including ramping up its public education campaign.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health had urged people most at risk to get vaccinated from the flu this year.

“The flu vaccination is free for those most at risk including people over 65, indigenous people over 50 and indigenous people with risk factors such as chronic conditions,” he said.

“All Queensland Health districts have prepared for winter.

“Specific issues vary between districts so local-level input from clinicians shapes how each district responds to anticipated increases in demand.

“Extra hospital beds are opening on a flexible basis to deal with unexpected spikes in activity.

“All Area Heath Services also have arrangements with the private sector to purchase beds for public patients according to demand.

“In addition, bed block teams in hospitals are reviewing patient flow and developing ways to ease any bottlenecks.

“Many hospitals have also have different strategies to reduce the number of nursing home type patients occupying acute-care beds such as Hospital in the Home and Hospital in the Nursing Home programs as well as home liaison nurses.

“More broadly, the Queensland Government and the Commonwealth are working together to improve transition care so that short term support and management can be provided to more older people requiring ongoing care but not acute care.”

MEDIA: MARTIN PHILIP 3225 2680 / 0407 675 008