Private hospitals willing and able to help with pandemic

Tuesday 17 March 2020

Private hospitals willing and able to help with pandemic
Australia's private hospitals are ready and willing to assist public hospitals by taking on some of the elective
surgery caseload as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Australia's health care system, says
Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) CEO Michael Roff.

Mr Roff said there is capacity in private hospitals and a commitment from the private sector to play their
part in ensuring Australians receive the care they need.

"The whole Australian health care system needs to work together to weather this potential crisis. Many
states have already committed to addressing their elective surgery waiting lists with the help of the private
hospital sector, we expect others will move to do the same.

"The private hospitals sector is working with States, Territories and the Federal Government to be part of
the solution for Australia at this time. Private hospitals are in discussions with their local public hospitals,
health districts and state health departments about matching capacity to potential need," he said.

Mr Roff said there were some concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment to ensure
surgery can go ahead, but this was also being discussed with government.

"It is essential the health care system in Australia mobilises together to ensure we are able to manage the
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Roff said.

-ENDSMedia contact APHA: Frith Rayner, Director Communications and Marketing, 0413 971 999.

The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) is the peak industry body representing the private hospital and day surgery
sector. The private hospital sector treats 4.5 million patients a year, including treatment of a third of chemotherapy, 60 percent of all
surgery, 74 percent of all elective musculoskeletal surgery and 80 percent of rehabilitation.

Level 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
ABN 82 008 623 809

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