The State Government has announcement the suspension of all elective surgeries, with the exception of category one and the most urgent emergency surgeries and procedures.
The suspensions will apply to public and private hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, which are under stage three restrictions.
If you have any questions about your procedure, or would like further information about whether these changes impact you, please contact us via the phone number listed on your admission information, or call 9594 6666.
As part of updated Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, all elective surgery patients living or working within Restriction 3 areas and who are undergoing a General Anaesthetic (GA) will now need to be swab tested for COVID-19 and confirmed negative prior to their procedure.
This applies to all patients, of all ages, including:
As with any respiratory illness, there may be an increased risk of complications to a COVID-19 positive patient undergoing a GA. If possible, elective procedures shouldn’t be performed without knowing the COVID-19 status of the patient. This is to allow the treating team to plan effectively and ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our patients, employees and community.
You will be contacted by Monash Health COVID screening team four or five days prior to your planned procedure to conduct a COVID-19 screening questionnaire. You will be asked to then attend a Monash Health COVID-19 screening clinic, three or four days prior to admission to complete the swab test.
If you decide to have your swab taken at a non-Monash Health facility, please be aware that the result may not be processed in time for the procedure which may result in you having your surgery or procedure re-scheduled. If you are unwilling to undergo a swab test your surgery will be deferred or re-scheduled.
Please call us to confirm where you have had the swab test and bring validation of your negative swab result when you present for admission. This is a mandatory requirement and the admission cannot proceed without the COVID screening result.
Following testing, you will be required to self-isolate until your admission into hospital. This means you must:
Please ensure members of your household, within Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, are following Stage Three guidelines.
We are committed to delivering the best care when and where it’s needed. As per Department of Health and Human Services protocol, emergency patients requiring surgery or an emergency intervention will undergo COVID-19 swab testing in the Emergency Department immediately prior to their procedure. In some cases, this swab may also be taken on the ward area by the surgical team. You may also have to answer the COVID-19 screening questionnaire again nearer to the time of your surgery. We have strict and robust procedures in place to ensure the safe and timely care of emergency surgery patients with or without COVID-19 symptoms.
For further information or questions about your admission, please contact us on the number listed on your booking letter, or via switchboard on 9594 6666.
For information about testing sites, visit our coronavirus testing locations section.
For information about how the above relates to children, please see the advice for parents/guardians factsheet (via DHHS).
The Victorian Government has advised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50 should stay home wherever possible to keep well.
Monash Health’s Aboriginal Health Service is here to help during this time. Our services include hospital support, welfare checks and cultural support. Contact our Aboriginal Health Service via email ahs@monashhealth.org or phone 0418 503 643.
In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has created coronavirus information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Victorian Government has produced resources to help support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
To protect young children and vulnerable patients during the COVID-19 response, our BCG vaccination clinics have been temporarily put on hold.
We’ve developed an extensive range of FAQs about coronavirus and pregnancy to keep you informed during this time. If you are worried or have any questions, we encourage you to speak to your pregnancy care team.
If you are a health professional or GP looking for information about COVID-19, please visit COVID-19 information for health professionals and GPs.