Victoria has announced a historic emergency crisis mode, called 'Code Brown' across all metropolitan hospitals and six in the regions. Here's what you need to know.
Victoria's hospital system is under"extreme pressure" due to steadily high COVID-19 infections and staff shortages. But what exactly is 'Code Brown' and what measures will be put in place?Source:Victoria has announced a historic emergency crisis mode in its healthcare system as COVID-19 infections continue to soar throughout the state.
But this time, the government has issued the code on behalf of all metropolitan hospitals and six regional hospitals across the state. Private hospitals have the option of calling a Code Brown for their own facilities.Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino said on Tuesday now is the "right time" to call the code as more than 4,000 healthcare staff have been furloughed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
While other Code Browns have lasted on a short-term basis - up to two weeks - the state government said this emergency will last up to six weeks as they brace for the peak of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak.Code Brown is used by health services to plan exactly what the problem is and create a plan to mobilise the resources necessary to battle the crisis.
"A nurse or doctor who normally works in elective surgery, which has been scaled back significantly, may now be redeployed, for example, to the emergency department where the caseload is much higher," he said. "It’s a workforce which is skilled, planned, appropriate and available," Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Tuesday.
"This is the first time that the health system has come under pressure to the extent that we're seeing in the last week or two," he said.
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