25 March 2020, 7.14pm

Dear colleagues,

To say the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind is an understatement! It’s been busy day here in the Metro North EOC and I am sure you have felt it too. Here are a few updates:

• Cancellation of elective surgeries
• Update to testing criteria
• Introducing the Digital COVID-19 Command Centre (DC3)

Cancellation of elective surgeries

You are all probably well aware by now that today the Prime Minister announced that from midnight tonight, “all elective surgeries other than Category 1 and urgent Category 2 cases will be suspended”. The Prime Minister explained that this announcement would enable the preservation of PPE and other resources required for our role in the COVID-19 outbreak.

For Metro North, this means:

• We have rapidly assessed all booked surgeries for the remainder of this week and commenced notifying those patients that have been affected by this announcement;
• We are now able to focus on maturing our emergency care protocols for both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 cohorts.
  I understand this announcement has profound effects on our patients, their carers and our staff. I want to thank you for working together efficiently and respectfully since this announcement was made so that we can implement it without fuss.

Update to testing criteria

Another big change today was the overnight changes to the case definition within the National Guidelines for COVID-19[1] as highlighted in my short message this morning. I would like to reiterate that healthcare workers that are unwell should stay at home until your symptoms have resolved. For those of you who meet the revised testing requirements, please promptly present to one of our Fever Clinics or your usual healthcare provider.

Introducing the Digital COVID-19 Command Centre (DC3)

To assist staff in managing the transition to virtual work, including working remotely, a Digital COVID-19 Command Centre (DC3) has been activated to support you with your technical questions. DC3 will be there for you for all things digital including support for those considering what they need to work from home, those currently working from home; and support for all those that are working in call centres, virtual wards, virtual clinics and other digital initiatives introduced as a result of our COVID-19 response.

Email your enquiries to MNHHS_DMN_COVID_SUPPORT@HEALTH.QLD.GOV.AU and be sure to include your phone number along with details of your query or issue. They will be operating from 8am – 5pm on weekdays, with options for extension of this service if required.

This new service is a fabulous just in time service – particularly for those of us whose technical skills are somewhat less than those of our teenagers…. Thanks to the Digital Metro North team for being so responsive and helpful.

I’m incredibly impressed at how the entire Metro North team continues to carry on through this ever changing and uncertain time. Together we are a powerful force.

Kind regards,

Dr Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Health Incident Controller

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 1600 25 March 2020