Flu presentations to health facilities in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven have increased by 34% over the last 12 months.

The Berejiklian Government was caught unprepared and the outbreaks are putting pressure on the entire health and hospital system – especially the over-stretched emergency departments.

The Government should have prepared a comprehensive plan to urge families to get their preventative vaccinations.

The Government should have arranged for proper rostering to prevent “bed block” and delays in the State’s emergency departments.

The Government should have launched a major flu vaccination education campaign in May this year before the flu season hit.

Statistics compiled by the NSW Health for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Local Health District show that for 2016 there were 1,253 flu cases.

As of 16 August 2017, the number of flu cases has increased to 1,685 – or 34%.

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“We know the flu season is coming every year and the NSW Government could have played a more proactive role in preventing patients with the flu from flooding through the doors of local emergency departments.

“The Government could have launched a major flu vaccination campaign in May to encourage people to get their flu shots before the onslaught of the peak flu season in August.

“Our hospital emergency departments and our professional doctors and nurses are now swamped by an increase in flu cases in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, which is causing increased waiting times in the ED.

“The severity of the current flu is also impacting on workplaces and schools, so some better preparation of the public, by the Government, would have helped immensely.”