Medi-hotels ‘sensible next step’ in Victoria’s pandemic response: Deputy Premier
Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino has announced an “important new phase” in the state’s hotel quarantine program.
He says that because of the pressure on Victoria’s hospitals (due to the current Omicron wave), two quarantine hotels will be turned into medical hotels for coronavirus patients nearing the end of their hospital stay.
The announcement is confirmation of Aisha Dow and Timna Jack’s story from this morning, which flagged that some Victorian nurses are now caring for up to eight patients on their own (double what is mandated by the state).
“Today’s announcement is a sensible next step to support our frontline workers to help alleviate the pressure on the system and provide an extra buffer for some of our local hospitals,” Mr Merlino said during this morning’s COVID-19 update.
“These medi-hotels will provide hospital-in-the-home-style care for patients who need a lower level of care with all the benefits of a controlled environment like hotel quarantine, and all the care and services that come with it.
“All patients will be medically assessed by the hospital before transfer to ensure that they are well enough to be relocated. They’ll remain under the care of the hospital and still be considered an inpatient even while they’re in the medi-hotel.”
https://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-news-live-novak-djokovic-visa-decision-in-limbo-as-immigration-minister-yet-to-finalise-decision-covid-19-cases-continue-to-surge-across-the-nation-20220113-p59o30.html