The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has welcomed the phased reintroduction of elective surgery as efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 continue.
APHA CEO, Michael Roff, said patient safety and wellbeing was central to the staged return of elective surgery, agreed to by the National Cabinet.
“Private hospitals welcome the controlled return of elective surgery, which must be conducted so patients, health care workers and other hospital staff are as safe as possible,” he said.
“A phased reintroduction will allow hospitals to minimise risk to patients, monitor use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ensure we maintain capacity in the system to address the pandemic if it is required.
“We must acknowledge the great work already done in the health care system and by Australians in flattening the curve and putting governments in...