Epworth HealthCare has deployed a dedicated COVID-19 ward and is admitting COVID-19 patients to ICU as part of the statewide response to the pandemic.
10 ICU beds have been set aside at Epworth Richmond for COVID-19 patients. Five patients are currently admitted.
20 beds have also been opened in a dedicated COVID-19 ward with twelve patients admitted.
Epworth Group Chief Executive Dr Lachlan Henderson said Epworth is proud to again support Victoria through a difficult period.
"Throughout the pandemic, we have worked closely with the Department of Health as part of the statewide response," Dr Henderson said.
"At the peak of Victoria's second wave last year, Epworth treated about 50 COVID-19 patients in our hospitals, and it is important to provide this support to the community again."
Epworth recently signed an agreement with the Department of Health to work closely with neighbouring public hospitals in Melbourne and Geelong, to facilitate the transfer of some public patients into our facilities.
"People are still having heart attacks, strokes, accidents and medical issues that require urgent treatment and surgery.
"Epworth is supporting the public system by enabling some urgent public medical and surgical procedures to be carried out at our hospitals," Dr Henderson said.
A recently refurbished intensive care unit at Epworth Freemasons will also play a role in the response by caring for several non-COVID-19 patients from public hospitals.
Urgent elective surgery on private patients is continuing in our hospitals, based on surgeon classification of patients' needs. Epworth is working with our team of dedicated specialists to ensure our private patients have access to the urgent treatments they need.
Dr Henderson urged people to support healthcare workers by getting vaccinated.
"We know patient numbers will increase as we come out of lockdown. The best way the community can help is by booking in an appointment to receive a vaccination at their GP, pharmacy or state-run vaccination hubs."
