An update has been made which affects surgical treatment across the state.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 within South Australia the State Coordinator has made a direction under the Emergency Management Act 2004 to limit surgery to emergency surgery only.
The direction stipulates that the only surgical treatment that may be performed in the State of South Australia is:
1. Emergency surgery and procedures performed for conditions where failure to do so expediently and safely will lead to loss of life, loss of limb or permanent disability.
2. Non-emergency but urgent surgery and procedures performed for conditions where failure to do so in a clinically appropriate time frame (within 30 days) will lead to a predictable and evidence based outcome as follows:
- Loss of life where surgery or a procedure would otherwise have prevented this;
- Permanent disability where surgery or a procedure would otherwise have prevented this;
- Where clinical evidence supports an increased risk of a loss of life or permanent disability, provided that no alternative, non-surgical or procedural intervention exists.
Example procedures that may still be carried out include endoscopies, bronchoscopies, interventional radiology and cardiology.
Members of the public can find a copy of the Direction in full here.
In the first instance, patients should contact their GP or treating clinician for further information.
If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 8am to 8pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or https://www.sa.gov.au/covid-19.
