23 June 2008

Iemma Government launches 2008 Winter Health Strategy

NSW Premier Morris Iemma today outlined a multi-pronged plan to ensure our busiest public hospitals were geared-up to deal with the expected increase in demand this winter and flu season.

The Premier and Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, today visited the Emergency Department of one of Sydney's busiest hospitals, RPA, to launch the 2008 Winter Health Strategy.

Mr Iemma said the plan was designed to reduce the average length of stay for up to 20,000 additional hospital patients by better managing those susceptible to winter ailments.

"We know that demand for hospital services climbs significantly during winter, particularly from older patients and those suffering from influenza or respiratory illness," Mr Iemma said.

"Admissions to hospital between July and September typically increase by 6 per cent and the average length of stay rises by around 2 per cent, depending on the severity of the winter flu.

"The Australian Health and Welfare Institute confirmed just last month that NSW Emergency Departments were the best performed in the country.

Mr Iemma said winter placed added pressure on the ability to move patients from the Emergency Department to a hospital bed.

"That is why our winter strategy is aimed at moving patients through our hospitals more efficiently and better supporting people outside hospital to keep them well."

When the three months of winter last year were compared to summer hospital demand:

• An additional 1,000 children visited NSW hospitals each week;
• An additional 500 adults presented at Emergency Departments each week;
• Around 40,000 people were diagnosed with a respiratory illness

The key strategies in place to deal with the expected winter demand this year include:

• 124 additional acute care beds - to build capacity in Medical Assessment Units and add to winter flex capacity;
• 2,916 extra ComPacks - packages of non-clinical home based support;
• 2,356 extra CAPACS - community acute / post acute care places;
• Chronic Disease Rehabilitation - an extra 1,600 patients with cardiac & respiratory diseases will be treated across all Area Health Services;
• Introduction of the FirstNet electronic Emergency Department patient-tracking system; and
• The NSW Influenza Surveillance Program (May to September).

Minister for Health, Reba Meagher said the winter strategy was also supported by the NSW Immunisation Strategy 2008-2011, launched recently.

"The latest advice is that influenza levels appear to be tracking at normal levels so far this year, but there can never be room for complacency," Ms Meagher said.

"Our immunisation strategy aims to achieve at least 80 per cent immunisation coverage for influenza vaccine for people 65 and over.

"We are also aiming to improve the uptake for the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine in Aboriginal adults aged 50 years and older."

Ms Meagher said NSW Health had also developed a winter advertising campaign aimed at keeping people fit and healthy.

"Print and radio advertisements are on air now to help people to understand how to stay healthy and avoid illnesses such as colds and flu this winter."

General tips for staying well:

• Get the flu shot each year
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water

If you are already sick:

• Cover up your coughs and sneezes
• Stay at home so you don't spread it around.

Related links:

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au