MILDURA Base Hospital has moved to assure New South Wales residents they can continue to cross the border for medical and health care.
Restrictions on entering NSW from Victoria began on Wednesday, though a permit system was established for residents of border communities.
Mildura Base Hospital director of nursing Janet Hicks said NSW residents should continue to seek treatment in Victoria if necessary.
“People should definitely still come to Mildura Base Hospital if they require medical care,” Ms Hicks said.
“As an interim measure, a letter advising that the travel is essential will be provided to NSW residents by their treating medical officer to allow re-entry into NSW until a permit can be obtained from the government,” she said.
“People should definitely not be fearful or concerned about coming across the border if they need medical attention, or have essential in-person medical appointments which cannot be done over the phone or via telehealth.”
Mildura Base Hospital director of intensive care Dr Alison Walker said some patients had raised some concerns but their priority needed to be important medical care.
“We are not any different from any other organisation in the border regions in that we know that there are issues to be worked through,” Dr Walker said.
“We are the local hospital and health service for many NSW residents and, like every other major organisation in this community, we have staff and service providers who live on the NSW side of the region,” she said.
“But processes are being worked through and police have assured publicly they will take a sensible but pragmatic approach to the border enforcement.
“We’ve got no doubt that essential health workers will be catered for, and where NSW residents have a medical officer’s letter, essential medical appointments will continue to be permitted.
“While we are working through the changes, though, it’s important to keep an eye on the priority issue – that is ensuring that we are doing the right things in terms of our own community readiness if COVID-19 cases do emerge in our local area.”
Residents can apply for permits on the Service NSW website, service.nsw.gov.au.
