MILDURA Base Public Hospital has notified the Health Department that it has joined the multi-site Code Brown activated across the state.
The decision to activate the emergency plans was in response to the increase in local COVID-19 patients and the pressure on fatigued hospital staff.
It follows the State Health Coordinator's announcement that a coordinated Code Brown pandemic response for public health services in Melbourne and across regional Victoria would be effective from noon on Wednesday.
MBPH chief executive officer Terry Welch said that like many hospitals around the state, MBPH was struggling with workforce shortages as a result of the Omicron outbreak. After two years of battling the pandemic, staff were fatigued and needed support.
The number of new cases rose again in the Mildura local government area on Wednesday, after trending down in previous days. There were 136 new cases, an increase of 84 on the previous day, in Mildura, and the total number of active cases was 799.
A Code Brown declaration aims to ease the burden on health services by streamlining management systems when there is an influx of patients over a short period of time.
Less urgent health services can be delegated to other facilities and outpatient services can be cut to free up staff to work in high-demand clinical service areas.
"The recent surge in COVID cases across the state, including within the northern Mallee, has added to the pressure on our staff and we welcomed the announcement made by the Deputy Premier yesterday to call a Code Brown," Mr Welch said on Wednesday.
Mr Welch said MBPH was working with the Department of Health's Health Service Response Centre to action its Code Brown plans.
"As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we want to be prepared," he said.
"Calling a Code Brown at this point allows us to put in place measures to ensure if and when we see an increase in people presenting at our emergency department, we are prepared."
Mr Welch said the community should not be alarmed at the activation of Code Brown plans.
"While our health service is under strain, calling a Code Brown now will enable us as a health service to escalate operational issues and redirect staff to services most needed," he said.
"It will assist us to continue to deliver critical services to our community."
Mr Welch said people could assist health services by being understanding about the pressures facing staff.
He said they could also assist by only attending the emergency department if they needed urgent care. He urged people to contact a GP first if the health episode is not urgent.
