MOUNT Gambier Hospital will shut down its theatres for non urgent elective surgery for nearly two weeks in April.
The elective surgery shutdown will correspond with the Easter break, which is considered standard practice for the public health system.
South East Regional director of nursing Paul Bullen said the shutdown would not apply to emergency cases.
“There is no closure or reduction to obstetric services, including caesareans, or emergency surgery services at any site over the Easter period,” Mr Bullen said.
“Emergency cases will not be affected, including emergency caesareans.”
He said birthing and caesarean services would not impacted for Naracoorte or Mount Gambier as the closure only related to elective lists.
“As always, specialist obstetricians and GP obstetricians will manage obstetric patients as appropriate and this service will not be impacted in any way,” Mr Bullen said.
Country Health SA deputy chief executive officer Ngaire Buchanan said this was standard practice similar to other hospitals across the state.
“Non-urgent elective surgeries are not scheduled for peak holiday periods such as Christmas, Easter, public holidays and school holidays, given many patients are away or prefer to schedule their surgery outside of these times,” Ms Buchanan said.
“Accident and emergency departments remain open across South East hospitals at all times, while regular maintenance and cleaning will be undertaken in the closed theatres.
“All urgent cases will be treated and no patient with urgent surgical needs will be impacted throughout this period.”
Mount Gambier will not schedule any elective surgeries between April 15 and 26, while Naracoorte, Millicent and Bordertown will not schedule any elective surgeries between April 22 and 26.
Elective surgery is non-urgent surgery which is clinically prioritised in three categories: procedures that are clinically indicated within 30 days, within 90 days and within 365 days.
