A $1.4 billion package will ensure doctors, nurses and paramedics have the resources and support they need to continue caring for Victorians at home or in a hospital, including $938 million to help public hospitals cover coronavirus-related costs and continue surge payments for healthcare staff.
Victoria's PPE stockpile will get a $161 million boost, through the supply of an extra 40 million N95 masks, 30 million surgical masks, 10 million gowns and 10 million face shields.
More than $30 million has been allocated for critical medicines and equipment used to treat patients, including pulse oximeters, humidifiers and air purifiers.
A further $225 million will go towards easing the pressure on hospitals and ambulances, including expanding the COVID Positive Pathways program, which has helped more than half a million people safely recover at home since launching.
A virtual triage system trialled at the Northern hospital will be rolled out state-wide.
The trial resulted in 87 per cent of virtually assessed patients avoiding transportation to hospital.
The recruitment of 120 paramedics will be brought forward.
Hospitalisations have reduced to a seven-day average of 1000 COVID-19 cases, with a seven-day average of 800 cases allowing for the first steps towards resuming all elective surgeries.
From Monday, February 7, private hospitals and day procedure centres will be able to resume day surgery at up to 50 per cent of normal levels.
As hospitalisations decline more elective surgery — at up to 50 per cent in Melbourne and up to 75 per cent in regional areas — will be considered.
Ambulance Victoria also experienced its busiest quarter on record, attending 91,397 code one cases, which is a 16.2 per cent increase compared to the same time the previous year.
The number of Victorians waiting for elective surgery reached almost 81,000, while those most in need of urgent surgery were prioritised — with 99.6 per cent of category one patients still seen within 30 days.
“There’s no doubt that Omicron has put even more pressure on our health and ambulance services — and this package will help our health services provide the best possible care for Victorians,” Health Minister Martin Foley said.
“We understand that this has been a difficult time for people waiting for surgery.
“Bringing back private day procedures will help thousands of patients, while balancing the pressures on our healthcare system.”
A survey of 50,000 Victorian public sector nurses and midwives found 30 per cent had not had paid leave in the past 12 months and the union welcomed the continuation of the pause on most elective surgery.
“It’s been a brutal two years, a horror start to the year and nurses and midwives need a decent break to recharge and recover,” Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Vic Branch) acting secretary Paul Gilbert said.
“Elective surgery cannot resume in the public system until hospitals have ended surge staffing models and are able to staff to the legislated, mandated nurse/midwife ratios without the use of re-deployed staff.”