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Getting admitted to hospital due to a physical illness can do more harm than good on the mental health of the patient. Hours can seem longer than it is when your movement is restricted and when you have to stare at the same four walls. More than just boredom, it can trigger depression and anxiety to some. This is why seeing familiar faces can ease patients because it helps them take their thoughts away from their condition. However, some visitors seem to forget their limits and become more of a nuisance than a welcomed guest. Here are a couple of things that you should remember when visiting someone at the hospital. 1.    Ask First There are times when a patient doesn’t want visitors at all. They might be undergoing some type of treatment or might be too tired to socialize. For whatever reason, it’s important to give the patient or his/her close family member a call or text just to ask if guests are allowed and when would be the best time to visit. 2.   Fresh Flowers Pretty flowers can help liven the spirits of a patient. But let’s be honest, some people don’t fancy them, especially those flowers that emit strong scents. A good tip is to seek expert opinion from your florist to recommend flowers that don’t trigger allergies or those that have mild scents. Don’t forget to place them in an inexpensive but presentable-looking vase or jar. You can also simply buy boxed flowers to avoid the hassle. 3.   Munchies Bringing food is always a great idea because even if the patient isn’t allowed to eat them, the same can still be offered to his/her other guests. Individually-wrapped snacks are ideal since it can easily be shared and stored. Pick something that is generally liked by everyone such as biscuits, pastries, and fruit snacks. 4.    Simple Activities If you’re not the best at small talk, then it’s smart to prepare a few topics and questions before visiting someone in the hospital. If you’re still not confident enough, feel free to take in a crossword or some other type of game which both of you can participate in. You can make the hospital stay a bit less stressful for the patient by bringing portable and travel-size games such as puzzles, cards, and board games. Plus, it’s also a great way to keep everyone entertained inside the room. 5.    Something to Read An interesting book or magazine can be the perfect gift for someone who’s into reading. Although finishing the reading material can be quite challenging for them while being admitted to the hospital, it’s definitely something that they can bring home and read afterward. 6.    Offer Assistance Going home after being admitted can be a struggle as well since the newly released patient might have some chores to do. To help them, you can offer to do some tasks such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, or preparing ready-to-eat meals. Busy parents to small kids can certainly use an extra hand. This can make their recovery faster and easier. 7.    Give Them a Ride You don’t need expensive gifts and treats to bring joy and relief to your friend or relative. Simply help them go around town and do some errands that require driving from one place to another so they don’t have to drive themselves or commute which can cost them even more money. You can also bring them out for some coffee and snacks so they won’t feel isolated at home after being discharged.  
How To Be A Good Hospital Visitor
In Queensland alone, there have been five confirmed cases of the highly-contagious COVID-19. People who had recently been in contact with a person who has the virus or had a recent travel history to China are required to do self-isolation or home quarantine to control the spread of the virus. As reported by Jeanette Young, the Chief Health Officer of Queensland, there are more than 100 individuals who have done such isolation.   A spokesperson from Queensland health stated that the government is doing its best to aid those individuals who need to be quarantined. Among the measures that they have considered is the preparation of temporary quarantine facilities for people who are not able to isolate themselves at their own homes.   To support this, a golf resort in Queensland has been chosen by the government to be used as a temporary COVID-19 quarantine center. Kerry Packer, a media giant, once favored the same resort as well.   This has been confirmed by the Gold Coast Hinterland as well. It was mentioned in their social media accounts that the Packer Lodge of its Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley has already been reserved by the state government. It has 30 rooms and is 300 meters away from the main building. As of the moment, no person has been admitted to this lodge yet. The same lodge used to be the temporary residence of the late Mr. Packer when he played golf and polo at the Ramada.   There has been no news whether other establishments in the state have been designated by the government for similar purposes.   “The risk to the residents is zero, as long as people do not trespass or break into the quarantined area without prior approval,” announced by the hotel. They also added that Queensland Health staff have been assigned to look after those isolated individuals daily and that members of the police or military were tasked to provide security as well. These law enforcers are also responsible for strictly controlling the ins and outs in this hotel, which has been similarly done by another temporary isolation facility located in Darwin.   After being used as a quarantine, the hotel management plans to look for a strategic partner or be up for sale. Their decision to go on this route was because of the massive losses the hotel suffered from the banning of Chinese tourists to protect the citizens from COVID-19. Back in 2019, the hotel was terribly affected by the bushfire and drought as well.
Queensland Resort could be coronavirus quarantine site
There’s a certain level of stress that comes with getting admitted to the hospital for a considerable amount of time. Although you’re technically getting treated to make your condition better, the gloomy atmosphere inside your hospital room plus the lack of things to do can make you feel uneasy during your stay. If you’re someone who gets admitted multiple times in a year or you’re scheduled for treatment or operation that would require you to stay in the hospital for several days such as patients suffering from adult cystic fibrosis, then it’s important that you make a checklist for things to bring. When you search online for hospital stay checklists, what typically comes out is for expecting mothers. There’s nothing really much about making your temporary home more comfortable. There are world-class medical centres, such as the Prince Charles Hospital, that have well-made in-patient rooms which allow patients to truly relax during their stay. But if you find yourself admitted in a hospital that doesn’t provide the same level of accommodation then this checklist is for you. We listed a couple of things that you might want to bring to make your stay more productive and your room more homey. Hopefully, this will inspire you to make your very own personal checklist to better prepare for your next admission. Of course, the essentials such as your toothbrush and underwear have been excluded from this list.  1. Bedding: Hospital bed sheets, blankets, and pillow covers can be quite scratchy and uncomfortable. To feel more cozy and snuggly, make sure to bring beddings that you normally use. You can even bring more pillows if you’re the type who needs a ton when sleeping. Are you the type who is conscious about your skin and hair? Feel free to bring your silk sheets and pillowcases. If you have a security blanket, then don’t be shy. Include that in your to-go back as well. 2. Books: Want to teleport to another place while still being in the hospital? A physical book or e-book can bring you to places as you imagine different scenarios, timelines, and locations. Find a book or two in a genre or topic that you’re really interested in. Doing so can truly help you get lost in the pages and free you from boredom and negative thinking. 3. Light Exercise Equipment: Some patients are encouraged by their doctors to get moving during their recovery period. Bring a nice pair of tennis shoes so you can stroll around the hospital and get some fresh air. Feel free to bring a yoga mat, easy resistance bands, and light weights so you can work on a few muscles and get your heartrate up a bit. This will also improve your circulation, boost your energy, and loosen those joints that might feel tight because of too much sitting or lying down. 4. Decorations: It’s quite common for hospital rooms to look sad and boring. Why not dress it up to make it more fun and easy on the eyes? You can bring fresh flowers, fairy lights, and decorative throw pillows. During festive seasons, such as Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine’s, then you can also bring seasonal decorations. A mini Christmas tree, Santa toy, heart-shaped banner, and pumpkin-shaped plush toy, are just a few items that can help lighten the mood in your room. 5. Gadgets: Make sure to not leave behind your phone or tablet so you can easily contact people through calls, texts, FaceTime, Skype, and other means if you need to. Of course, these gadgets are highly important for entertainment as well. Finally, you have an excuse to be on YouTube or on all your social media accounts for the entire day. If you’re someone who prefers working during their stay, then don’t forget your laptop. This way, you can still hold virtual meetings, submit your work, participate in workgroup chats, keep in touch with clients, prepare for your presentation, and more. Another great thing about having it is that you can binge-watch your favorite shows or movies after you’ve finished your work for the day. Are you a gamer? Then take your Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or other gaming devices with you. Don’t forget to include an extra controller so you can play with your guests. 6. Extra Money: Coffee snobs just have to have their favorite cup of joe. If your tastebuds can’t handle the free coffee or the ones that are available in vending machines, then be sure to set aside a budget for your morning fix. The same goes for people who prefer other beverages such as tea or hot chocolate. 7. Skincare: Even if you’re someone who’s not too obsessed with skincare, you still might want to bring a few essentials such as face wash and moisturizer to cleanse and hydrate your skin. But if you have major skin concerns such as acne or eczema, then you should not forget your spot treatments, ointments, and whatnot. 8. Photos of Your Loved Ones: Include a couple of pictures in your to-go bag. It can be your significant other, beloved pet, bestfriend, family members, among others. Although you might have them on your phone already, there’s really something special about having physical pictures in an album or frame. Somehow, these feel more real and closer to home. It’s great to put on your bedside so you can just look at it from time to time whenever you miss them.   
8 Essential Items for Long Hospital Stays
Thinking about an upcoming hospital stay can make people feel a little worried. But if you need to go to the hospital, knowing what to expect before you get there can make things a little easier. Why Do People Go to the Hospital? People need to go to the hospital for different reasons. Some may be admitted to the hospital through the emergency department for problems that need immediate medical treatment. Others are scheduled for admission to have surgery, special medication, or other treatments prescribed by their doctors. What Happens When I Get There? If you do need to stay in the hospital, you'll first go through the admissions process. The admissions staff will take some information about you and fill in paperwork. Then you'll be taken to your room in the inpatient area. Many hospitals have floors or areas just for hospitalized kids and teens, with staff that better understand younger people and have special training in working with them. Other hospitals, called pediatric hospitals, specialize in the care of kids and teens. What Are Hospital Rooms Like? In many ways, a hospital room is a lot like any bedroom. You'll have the typical furniture, like a bed, a bedside table, and a chair. Your room will probably also have a window, and usually a phone and TV. Most hospital rooms have bathrooms within the room. You may have to share your room with another patient, but private rooms are sometimes available. If you share a room, you will probably be rooming with someone close to your own age. Some hospitals also let a parent sleep in their kid's room. If you'd like a parent's company overnight, check with the hospital staff in advance to find out if they can arrange this. Who Will I See in the Hospital? In most cases, it won't be just one doctor, or just the doctor you're used to, taking care of you in the hospital. In many larger hospitals — especially children's hospitals — nurses, nurse's aides, and therapists will also take part in your care. In some hospitals, doctors also work with medical students who are training to be doctors, and resident doctors who are getting additional training in a specialty, like pediatrics. You're likely to meet hospital volunteers as well. Nurses Nurses are often the first people you meet when you get to the hospital. When you arrive, a nurse will ask you questions about your medical history and any symptoms you may have. He or she will get you settled into your hospital room and take your vital signs, which include your temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Nurses will also help you during your stay, and they can offer you some great tips on how to take care of yourself both during and after your stay — they might recommend stuff like putting a plastic bag over a cast when you shower to protect it. When you first arrive in your room, find out where the call button is so you can contact a nurse for assistance if you need help. Doctors A doctor will supervise the care you receive while you're in the hospital, working closely with other caregivers. Your doctor might be a general pediatrician or a family doctor, who treats many kinds of medical problems that kids and teens have. Or your doctor may be a specialist with extra training in specific problems, like heart or kidney problems. The kind of doctor you'll have depends on the reason why you're in the hospital. Here are a few of the medical personnel or specialists you might encounter: Anesthesiologist: An anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administers medicine just before surgery to keep you asleep during the procedure. The anesthesiologist is present during the operation to watch over you and make sure you have no pain. Surgeon: A surgeon is the person who operates on you if you are having surgery. Specialists: Some doctors are experts in specific fields, like cardiology (the heart and circulatory system), pulmonology (the lungs), or oncology (cancer care). Child life specialist: A child life specialist is trained to talk to kids and teens about medical procedures and other parts of the hospital stay. They comfort patients if they are upset about something or need some extra support, and organize "play time" for hospitalized kids and teens to get together and hang out. Medical student, intern, or resident: These are doctors-in-training or doctors who are learning a specialty such as pediatrics or surgery. IV team and phlebotomists: Many hospitals have an IV team that does IV placement (an IV is a small straw-like tube that is placed into a vein under the skin to directly give someone fluids or medicines) or phlebotomists who draw any blood that is needed for tests. Some specialists aren't doctors, but have training in specific areas of health care. A respiratory therapist, for example, helps teens who are having trouble breathing by giving breathing treatments or providing oxygen. If you have to have a special diet while you're in the hospital, a dietitian will plan balanced meals to meet your nutritional needs. A physical therapist may help you move your joints and muscles and develop strength after surgery or an accident. What Medical Tests Might I Have? Many of the medical tests you'll have in the hospital are less painful than a 10-question pop quiz. If a nurse asks you to pee in a cup, don't be surprised — your urine may be checked for bacteria, protein, sugar, and other things you probably never thought much about before. You may have your blood drawn so laboratory technicians can test it to evaluate whether there are any problems. Other samples may be taken and tested, depending on the reason you are in the hospital. Several tests are used to create images of the body. One common type of imaging test is an X-ray. X-rays use small amounts of radiation to penetrate the body and form an images of your bones and organs on film. Other common imaging tests include: Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan: This uses special X-rays and computer enhancement to create a more detailed 3-D-like image of body parts, especially internal organs. Ultrasound: An ultrasound study uses sound waves to produce images of internal organs like the kidneys or liver. Ultrasounds can look for fluid inside the belly and are commonly used to monitor an unborn baby's growth during pregnancy. Echocardiogram: This special ultrasound test uses sound waves to examine the heart in detail. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce extremely clear, detailed images of body organs, including the brain. MRIs are often used to diagnose sports injuries, especially those involving muscles and ligaments (the tough tissue that connects bones). Looking Ahead Some teens with serious illnesses or injuries may have to stay in the hospital for weeks, months, or even longer. This means a person's school life, relationships with friends, and extracurricular activities may be interrupted so they can receive extensive medical treatment. But these interruptions don't mean your life has to be put on hold. Many hospitals, especially those that treat only kids and teens, have classes available to patients. Through these hospital schools, you can receive academic credit for your attendance and achievement. You'll still have homework, but the school will often provide teachers, tutors, computer access, and other tools you need to complete your education. In addition, the hospital's school program will often help you make the transition back into your school when your doctor says you may return. Despite the support of your family and doctors, you may still feel sad and lonely sometimes. Teens who spend a lot of time in the hospital have a lot to deal with, so being frustrated, upset, and even angry is completely understandable. One of the hardest things about being in the hospital for a while is that people miss out on social activities with their friends. Although people who have long hospital stays may be able to stay in touch with friends via phone, social media, and email, sometimes it just isn't the same. Here are a few coping strategies: Have a party at your place. Your friends may not understand that you want them to visit you in the hospital. After checking with your nurse, invite them to visit you and play cards, watch videos, or just hang out. Maybe they could even bring in a pizza (if your doctor or nurse says it’s OK for you to eat it!). Make some new friends. Ask your child life specialists for names of secure online bulletin boards, chat rooms, and networking sites for teens with your medical condition. Try the Teen Room. Many pediatric hospitals have special rooms or lounges just for teens. Teen rooms are often stocked with magazines, video games, art supplies, and music. Find your release. Whether it's drawing, keeping a journal, making music, or talking, everyone needs a way to relieve stress. Find your own way to de-stress and do it daily.
What's It Like to Stay in Hospital?
Source: Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia Key points From 11:59pm Wednesday 22 July 2020 restrictions changed to limit the number of people who can visit patients in hospital. There will also be limits on the number and duration of visits allowed (outlined below) From 11:59pm on 2 August, visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face mask covering, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so. All visitors must continue to follow the hospital’s local operating rules. Current restrictions The Chief Health Officer has restricted access to hospitals where vulnerable Victorians receive care. This is to help protect elderly people, those with chronic medical conditions or those with low immunity from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Patients receiving treatment and care are especially vulnerable to the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and may be critically at-risk if exposed. From 11:59pm on Wednesday 22 July 2020, hospital visitors are only permitted for the following reasons: If you are the parent, guardian or carer of a child who is a patient in hospital you are allowed to visit. Your child can only have one visitor at a time. There are no limits on how many times you can visit or how long you can visit for.  If you are the parent, partner, support person (for example friend or sibling), guardian, or carer of a patient aged 18 years or over then you are allowed to visit to provide emotional and social support to the patient, if this cannot be provided via electronic or non-contact means. The patient can only have one visitor. The visitor can only visit once per day, for a maximum of one hour. If you are a nominated person under the Mental Health Act, then you can visit the patient. The patient can only have one visitor at a time, for a maximum of one hour. Visits must be related to treatment and discharge planning, or other functions related to the Act. If you are providing essential care and support necessary for the patient’s physical, emotional or social wellbeing that cannot be delivered by the health service care team or via electronic means, then you can visit a patient. The patient can only have one visitor at a time. The number and duration of visits should not exceed the time required to provide essential supports only. If you are providing interpreter or informal language support to enable the delivery of care by the care team, then you can visit a patient. The patient can only have one visitor at a time, and visits should align with the times interpreter or language support is required by the care team. A patient whose medical condition is life threatening can have two immediate family members visit at any one time. There are no limits on the number or duration of visits.  A patient who is dying and/or receiving end-of-life care can have two visitors at any one time. There are no limits on the number or duration of visits.  A pregnant woman can only have their partner or support person visit or attend hospital with them. The partner or support person can stay as long as required for the labour, birth and following the birth until mother and baby move to the postnatal ward. For subsequent visits post-delivery, a partner or support person can visit one per day for up to two hours.  If you are in the postnatal (maternity) ward after you have given birth, you can only have your partner or support person visit you. Your partner/support person can only visit once per day for a maximum of two hours.  You can be accompanied to the emergency department by one visitor. If you are admitted to the emergency department, that visitor can subsequently only visit once per day for a maximum of one hour. You can be accompanied to an outpatient appointment by one visitor. That visitor can only visit once per day for a maximum of one hour. If you are visiting to learn how to support a patient’s care when they are discharged from hospital then you are allowed to visit. The patient can only have one visitor. That visitor can only visit once per day for a maximum of one hour. Factsheet for visitors to hospitals (Word) Which types of hospitals are covered by these restrictions? These restrictions apply to all the following hospitals, whether operated by government, the private sector or not-for-profit organisations: public hospitals private hospitals denominational hospitals day procedure centre or multi-purpose health services Visitors are only permitted for the reasons listed above. Who can visit a hospital? Subject to some important conditions listed below, you can visit a hospital if you are: the parent, guardian or temporary carer of a patient aged under 18 years the parent, partner, support person (for example, a friend or sibling), carer or guardian of a patient aged 18 years or over the carer of a patient with a disability the partner or support person of a pregnant woman, whose status as a patient relates to their pregnancy the partner or support person of a patient in the postnatal (maternity) ward providing interpreter or informal language support accompanying a patient to the emergency department accompanying a patient to an outpatient appointment providing end of life support for a patient an immediate family member and providing support to a patient whose medical condition is life threatening a Nominated Person of a patient who is in hospital to receive care for a mental illness as defined under the Mental Health Act providing essential physical or emotional care that cannot be delivered by the health service care team or via electronic means learning to support a patient’s care once they are discharged from hospital You should contact the hospital before visiting as they may have additional requirements, conditions or restrictions for visitors. This information may also be found on their website. Who is not allowed to visit a hospital? You must not enter any hospital if you: are awaiting a coronavirus (COVID-19) test result (unless granted exemption under exceptional circumstances) are unwell with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever or loss of sense of taste or smell have a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius arrived in Australia within the last 14 days have been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) and have not yet been given clearance from self-isolation have had known contact in the past 14 days with a person who was a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) are under 16, unless you are providing end-of-life support for a patient, or are the child, grandchild or sibling of a patient.  Only in exceptional circumstances can a hospital allow a person to visit a hospital if they are a known contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19), or a returned overseas traveller in mandatory quarantine, or have been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19). Exceptions can only be authorised by senior hospital staff and, in some instances, must also be approved by the Chief Health Officer / Deputy Chief Health Officer due to the risks involved. Strict conditions may apply to these visits. Please discuss this with hospital staff. From 11:59pm on 2 August visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face covering. Are there any special considerations for patients who are receiving palliative care? In these circumstances, visitors should discuss the duration and total number of visitors throughout the day, with the hospital, as special considerations may be applied. Are there any other conditions placed on visits? Visitors must comply with all screening and infection control measures put in place by the hospital. You must:  From 11:59pm on 2 August visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face covering. Even with a face covering, you should keep at least 1.5 meters apart from others wash your hands after using lifts, holding railings and every time you enter and exit the patient’s room  follow rules about visitor and time limits   limit movement around the hospital as much as possible   limit the number of personal items you bring into the hospital  follow rules about wearing specific masks, gloves or gowns if requested by staff. Hospital staff will help you follow these conditions to help keep your family members or friends safe.  Do I need to call the hospital before I visit someone in hospital? No. However it is advisable to contact the hospital before visiting as they may have additional requirements, conditions or restrictions for entry. In some cases, hospital wards may be closed to visitors to keep vulnerable patients safe or restricting who can visit to close family. This information may also be found on the hospital’s website.  Speak with other family, friends and carers before you visit. This will avoid a situation where the visitor limit is exceeded. If this occurs, you may be unable to see your family member or friend in hospital. The person I am visiting is sharing a room – does this impact the number of visitors? No. Each patient is able to have the maximum number of visitors permitted, subject to the purpose of the visit and conditions of their ward or unit. However, when visiting you need to ensure you follow directions from the hospital staff and also maintain 1.5 metres between yourself and other visitors within the shared room.   Can I visit my pregnant partner for the birth of our child? A partner or support person of a pregnant patient can attend the labour and birth for as long as required and they can stay after the birth for as long as required. A partner or support person can then subsequently visit once per day for a maximum of two hours. If you are providing essential care and support necessary for the patient's physical, emotional or social wellbeing that cannot be delivered by the health service care team or via electronic means, then you can visit your partner as required. The patient can only have one visitor at a time and the number and duration of visits should not exceed the time required to provide essential supports only. I'm going to hospital to give birth  – can I have more than two people with me? Only your partner or support person can be with you when you come to hospital for labour or birth. There are no limits on how long your partner or support person can be with you during labour and birth, and they can stay after the birth until the mother and baby move to the postnatal ward. For subsequent visits post-delivery, a partner or support person can visit once per day for a maximum of two hours. How can I stay in touch with my loved ones in hospital? People in hospital are unwell or recovering from a medical or surgical condition and can have reduced immunity.   Before you plan your visit, think about your family member or friend and your role in helping to keep them safe from coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes your loved one who: is elderly has a chronic medical condition (like diabetes, heart, lung, kidney disease, or low immunity). You can stay in touch and provide support through phone and video calls and texting. What are the restrictions on workers? Subject to some important conditions, staff can enter the hospital only if they are:  an employee or contractor of the hospital a student under the supervision of an employee or contractor of the hospital providing goods or services necessary for the effective operation of the hospital (either as a paid worker or volunteer) a person providing health, medical or pharmaceutical goods or services to a patient of the hospital (either as a paid worker or volunteer) a disability worker providing a disability service to a patient with a disability a union and employer representative If emergency services or law enforcement personnel are required to attend the facility, they can enter at any time. Workers must not enter any hospital if they: are unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), including a cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever, headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of sense of smell or taste  have a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celcius arrived in Australia within the last 14 days have been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) and have not yet been given clearance from self-isolation have had known contact in the past 14 days with a person who was a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19)  A face covering must be worn by all staff. From 11:59pm on 2 August visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face covering, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so.  What if I don't comply? A person who ignores these conditions and restrictions will be liable for fines of up to $20,000, or up to $100,000 in the case of companies and other bodies corporate. Where can I get more information? For updates, see our dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) page.  You can also call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline: 1800 675 398 If you require a translator to help you, call the translating and interpreting service on 131 450 and ask for the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline.
Visiting hospitals in Victoria during COVID-19
According to reports, there are 81,315 cases of COVID-19 globally, wherein 2770 of them had already died. This has caused widespread alarm and caution amongst every individual in the world, which is something to be expected. But sadly, this has also affected how some individuals treat other people as well, particularly those who have an Asian appearance.   Because of panic, patients and even staff from a hospital located in Melbourne have experienced racial discrimination because of COVID-19. At the Royal Children’s Hospital, the parents have been voicing out their refusal to have their kids treated by Asian nurses and doctors. Their Director of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Stuart Lewena, expressed that their staff has been experiencing this for more than a week already.   “We became aware of this a week ago when one of our staff came forward and informed us that she’d been approached by the family of a child who she was going to be treating. The parents had requested that she not treat their child because she might have coronavirus. Clearly, that was a comment made purely on her racial appearance. As a result of that we had a few more staff come forward and say that yes, they’d been experiencing similar behavior. So we thought it was important we shone a light on that as the unacceptable behavior that it is, and give our staff some strategies on how to deal with that,” Dr. Stuart added.   The same hospital also reported that these parents don’t allow their children to sit anywhere near other patients because of fear of contracting the virus.   This led Royal Children’s Hospital to launch an anti-racism warning a few days ago. Jenny Mikakos, the Health Minister of Victoria, was very displeased by the news and stated that it was “plain wrong, and shows a complete disrespect”.   “Suggesting the spread of this virus has anything to do with ethnicity is wrong and shows complete disrespect for our hardworking healthcare workers who devote each and every day to saving lives and treating sick children,” said Ms. Mikakos.   The local government has assured the public that exposure to COVID-19 in Victoria has very low as of the moment and that the ethnicity of the patient or medical staff has nothing to do with it.   All of the seven confirmed COVID-19 patients in Victoria were aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Four of them have made full recovery while the other three are still being quarantined.   There were eight other tourists who tested positive for the virus as well. One of them has been admitted to Howard Springs. Another patient, who is a 61-year old woman from New South Wales, was isolated at the Royal Darwin Hospital because she is suffering from a cardiac condition as well. She’s currently quarantined in a negative pressure room which is typically used for patients with droplet infections like tuberculosis. The latest patient is a Victorian man who got infected by his partner who was also previously diagnosed. Both patients have reportedly gone back to their home state together.   Diane Stephens, who is the acting Chief Health Officer of the Northern Territory, mentioned several days ago that the newest patient probably acquired the virus while he was also aboard the ship because he revealed that he had not been feeling well since.   Ms. Stephens added that this patient is “more than likely in the recovery phase of the disease” because he wasn’t showing any more symptoms in the past couple of days while being admitted to the Howard Springs isolation facility near Darwin.   She also wasn’t sure as to why the illness of this particular patient was not detected much earlier when over 3700 crew and passengers were isolated in Japan for two weeks.   Ms. Stephens stated that those Australian patients quarantined in Darwin have almost completed the period of isolation. Most of them are in their 60s and 70s, while a few were over 80. It was also revealed that there were improvements in their overall morale as well.   Last weekend, 266 people who have returned from Wuhan, China were also isolated in Howard Springs.   Australia’s Response to COVID-19   The authorities are given the power to cancel public events, such as the AFL games, as a last resort if COVID-19 becomes worse.   Each hospital should prepare a process of isolating certain individuals   In the event that COVID-19 is officially declared as a worldwide pandemic but the country is still able to contain the said virus, then the authorities will continue to perform the measures that they have been doing.   The state and federal governments have the capacity to forcefully isolate individuals who refuse to undergo such.   Over 3000 individuals in the country have already been tested for the virus and only 15 of them have tested positive and all of them are now in the midst of recovering. Additionally, individuals suffering from pneumonia are being tested for the novel coronavirus.   The country is currently assessing its travel advice as the virus continues to spread across nations. There is also an increase in the advice levels for Italy, Korea, Iran, and Japan.   Greg Hunt, who is the Health Minister, advised the athletes who will be representing the country for the Tokyo Olympics to keep training since he is still hopeful that the event will transpire. However, he also assured them that he’ll be the first to know if the situation becomes too risky.   Australian authorities are conducting the “rings of containment” approach by doing their best efforts to suppress any confirmed coronavirus cases to families, affected units, or individuals.   The ban on individuals trying to enter the country who came from China is being reconsidered for university students. However, they will only relax such ban if they’re highly confident that COVID-19 is under control in other provinces in China aside from Hubei.   In the event that the number of patients in the country will increase or if the virus spreads within the community, then the authorities will consider a different strategy to address such. If there will be a rather small outbreak, then the authorities will have to track those individuals who caused the epidemic and others who had come in contact with them. After this, the authorities will isolate all of these individuals to try to contain the virus. In case of a more widespread outbreak, then authorities will focus their efforts on controlling how fast the coronavirus is being transmitted from one person to another.   The above-mentioned scenarios are further detailed in the country’s response plan which has been designed to assist the response of the health sector.
Victorian hospital staff cop racial abuse over coronavirus fears
NOTE: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) staff are assisting other Government agencies, including the Department of Health, to monitor the COVID–19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This is our top priority and some of the work we had planned for 2020 has been delayed. We are still releasing some reports and other data products, especially those which were close to completion prior to the pandemic or contain information which is time-sensitive for policy-makers and service-providers. The information in this media release is for a time period before the 2019-20 Summer bushfires and the COVID–19 pandemic.  There were 11.5 million hospitalisations in Australia in 2018-19, up from 10.1 million in 2014-15, according to new information released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The latest MyHospitals update shows that hospital admissions rose by an average 3.3% per year between 2014-15 and 2018-19, double the population growth over the same period. ‘Hospital care has shifted away from overnight stays over recent years, with the average length of stay declining and a shift toward more same-day hospitalisations,’ said AIHW spokesperson Dr. Adrian Webster. ‘Same-day hospitalisations (where the patient does not stay overnight) have risen faster than overnight hospitalisations, largely due to increases in same-day stays for sub-acute and non-acute care.' Sub-acute and non-acute care Includes rehabilitation, certain types of geriatric and maintenance care and palliative care. Per 1,000 population, same-day hospitalisations rose, on average, 2.7% per year in public hospitals and 1.0% in private hospitals. In contrast, overnight hospitalisations rose, on average, 0.5% per year in public hospitals and fell 1.1% per year in private hospitals. The average length of stay in hospital decreased by an average of 0.8% per year from 5.5 days to 5.4 days. Six in 10 admissions were to public hospitals in 2018–19 and publicly funded hospital admissions grew faster than admissions funded by private sources (3.7% average growth per year compared with 2.6%). Between 2014-15 and 2018-19, emergency admissions increased at a higher rate than elective admissions in both public and private hospitals (3.9% average annual growth for public and 4.8% for private compared to 2.7% growth in public elective admissions and 2.0% growth in private elective admissions). In particular, the growth in emergency admissions involving surgery for complications related to Type 2 diabetes increased by 14% in the last 12 months. The new data also shows that vaccine-preventable hospitalisations were 22% lower in 2018-19 than in 2017-18, following a spike in admissions due to influenza in 2017-18. However, overall admissions for potentially preventable hospitalisations increased during this period, driven by an increase in hospitalisations for complications related to diabetes. Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020
Overnight hospital stays becoming shorter and same-day hospitalisations increasing
Lang Walker, who is a businessman, donated a whopping $26 million to Western Sydney University. This generous financial sponsorship from Walker is intended for the construction of a professorship at one of WSU’s buildings and a medical center at Campbelltown Hospital. This is in line with the university’s efforts in joining an infrastructure surge which includes metro train, light rail, and a new airport. "We've got a lot of land in the Macarthur region. We want to give back to the universities, the medical side of things and sport," said Lang Walker. It was also announced by Western Sydney University around December of last year that the Walker Group will be the developer for its vertical campus at Bankstown. This project will be worth $300 million and will have enough room to cater to 12,000 students. Mr. Walker also added that this is not their family’s first-time to invest in medical research since they’ve previously provided funding at the St Vincent's Hospital and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. "We've sat on a number of forums out there in relation to Peter Shergold and Barney Glover. We became involved in an A-league soccer team, the Macarthur Bulls and we approached the university to do a center of excellence at Campbelltown. And we're sponsoring the Charles Perkins Football Academy. So we thought a medical research center would be essential in the region." Mr. Walker said. Mr. Walker’s company is currently involved in central Parramatta’s redevelopment, that’s worth $3.2 billion. He also added that most likely, his family will continue to be south-west Sydney’s benefactors. The total cost of the medical research center’s establishment is $50 million, and ⅖ of that is funded by the Walker family. Meanwhile, the university has also contributed $12.5 million from its own resources into that project. The other partners include the South-Western Local Health District, the University of New South Wales, and the Ingham Institute. “There is a priority triangle happening here which is Bankstown, Liverpool, and Campbelltown,” said Barney Glover, who is Western Sydney University’s vice-chancellor. $6 million from the total donation of the Walker family will go into the construction of the professorship at WSU’s main campus. On the other hand, Professor Glover revealed that the huge amounts of investment in the Western Sydney Airport are a large contributor to the overall growth of center Australia. "Universities help to create cities and catalyze further development. Particularly if you think about something like the Metro rail being extended to Bankstown. There is a priority triangle happening here which is Bankstown, Liverpool, and Campbelltown. These are important cities and now they're undergoing urban regeneration," he said. Navitas, an education company, was privatized Navitas back in March 2019 after the co-founder Rodney Jones and public shareholders were bought out by BGH Capital for $2.3 billion. This incident has allowed the University of New England to develop an indigenous education program. Max Schroder, one of the co-founders of Navitas, also gave $1.3 million to support indigenous scholarships at the University of New England. This doesn’t include the $500,000 he previously donated to aid 40 students who were already under the indigenous education program. Mr. Schroder also added that the sale of his Navitas funds back in 2019 "enable me to assist others from challenged and disadvantaged backgrounds to gain the opportunities I enjoyed. Since the scholarship programs have been running for a number of years and developing to address newly perceived needs, it has been my intention a pragmatic approach always be taken.”
Lang Walker gives $26m to Western Sydney University
Our hospitals and local healthcare services have been the backbone in our State’s response to the pandemic. We want to help keep them strong, investing a further $2 billion to build new hospitals and upgrading existing ones. This includes: Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment $384 million to commence the first stage of the Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment, including a new emergency department, operating theatres and acute inpatient beds. New Melton Hospital $75 million to purchase land and undertake detailed planning and early works for a new Melton hospital. Acquiring land and new community hospitals $66 million to acquire land in Cranbourne, Pakenham, Torquay, City of Whittlesea, Eltham, Point Cook and the inner south and continue planning for new community hospitals. Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Women's Hospital $10 million for planning to upgrade the existing site and create an additional site for the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and investigate the potential for a new Royal Women's Hospital site in the Arden Renewal Precinct in North Melbourne. Wangaratta health infrastructure $7.6 million to expand maternity accommodation and upgrade critical infrastructure in Wangaratta for local mums and bubs. Werribee Mercy Hospital $4.8 million to begin planning for the future expansion of the Werribee Mercy Hospital, helping to meet the needs of our city’s growing west. Angliss Hospital $4.5 million to accelerate planning and design for the expansion of the Angliss Hospital at Ferntree Gully. Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund This Budget provides $200 million to establish a new Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund to fund upgrades and improvements across our city and suburban health services.  Regional Health Infrastructure Fund And because we know our local health services are at the heart of our regional communities, an extra $120 million for our Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. Having already invested $350 million in the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund to improve regional health facilities, this additional Budget boost will help make sure Victorians get the very best care – wherever they live. The latest equipment and technology We’re also making sure our hospitals and health facilities have access to the latest equipment and technology. This Budget provides: $85 million for engineering upgrades and to replace medical equipment in metropolitan, rural and regional hospitals. $30 million to refresh clinical technology including pathology, diagnostic imaging and patient management systems. Energy efficiency in our State’s public hospitals This Budget will also provide $40 million to improve energy efficiency in our State’s public hospitals, with solar power and high-efficiency LED lighting.
State Government Budget Announcement: Victorian hospitals and local healthcare services have been the backbone in our response to the pandemic
In Queensland alone, there have been five confirmed cases of the highly-contagious COVID-19. People who had recently been in contact with a person who has the virus or had a recent travel history to China are required to do self-isolation or home quarantine to control the spread of the virus. As reported by Jeanette Young, the Chief Health Officer of Queensland, there are more than 100 individuals who have done such isolation.   A spokesperson from Queensland health stated that the government is doing its best to aid those individuals who need to be quarantined. Among the measures that they have considered is the preparation of temporary quarantine facilities for people who are not able to isolate themselves at their own homes.   To support this, a golf resort in Queensland has been chosen by the government to be used as a temporary COVID-19 quarantine center. Kerry Packer, a media giant, once favored the same resort as well.   This has been confirmed by the Gold Coast Hinterland as well. It was mentioned in their social media accounts that the Packer Lodge of its Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley has already been reserved by the state government. It has 30 rooms and is 300 meters away from the main building. As of the moment, no person has been admitted to this lodge yet. The same lodge used to be the temporary residence of the late Mr. Packer when he played golf and polo at the Ramada.   There has been no news whether other establishments in the state have been designated by the government for similar purposes.   “The risk to the residents is zero, as long as people do not trespass or break into the quarantined area without prior approval,” announced by the hotel. They also added that Queensland Health staff have been assigned to look after those isolated individuals daily and that members of the police or military were tasked to provide security as well. These law enforcers are also responsible for strictly controlling the ins and outs in this hotel, which has been similarly done by another temporary isolation facility located in Darwin.   After being used as a quarantine, the hotel management plans to look for a strategic partner or be up for sale. Their decision to go on this route was because of the massive losses the hotel suffered from the banning of Chinese tourists to protect the citizens from COVID-19. Back in 2019, the hotel was terribly affected by the bushfire and drought as well.
Queensland Resort could be coronavirus quarantine site