Beds close at Woy Woy Hospital

General manager of the Central Coast Health Service Mr Ken Cahill has confirmed the temporary closure of 10 general beds at Woy Woy Hospital.

He said the closure was "due to medical coverage issues that are currently under negotiation".

"While we acknowledge that the health services prefer to have all beds available all of the time, sometimes that is not possible," Mr Cahill said.

"Throughout the year there are fluctuations in the number of available beds depending on issues such as activity levels, staffing, maintenance and holiday periods.

"We need to have some flexibility built into the system to allow for these issues.

"That flexibility also includes the ability to increase the number of beds when we need them.

"We do that with what we call 'surge beds'.

"Surge beds are an important part of our bed management strategy that help us meet bed demand during high activity periods such as we are currently experiencing.

"This year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of trauma patients requiring emergency surgery, up 12.5 per cent, as well as people with chronic health conditions requiring admission.

"High activity levels in our theatres and wards also usually means there has first been a corresponding increase in the number of ambulance and walk-up presentations at our emergency departments.

"We are busy," said Mr Cahill, "and our staff has done an excellent job in caring for and finding beds for all our patients."

Mr Cahill said that due to the high number of presentations at Gosford and Wyong emergency departments, delays "may be encountered", particularly for those with illnesses or injuries of a non-emergency and minor nature.

"People in that category should consider seeing their local GP or attending a medical centre," Mr Cahill said.

"However, it is important to know that Emergency Departments never close.

"They are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year."

Press release, 9 May 2007 Terry Hayes, NSW Health