The coronavirus won't stop everyday medical emergencies from happening, and a group of local doctors want to make sure Cessnock Hospital's emergency department continues to function as usual if the crisis worsens.
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The emergency department is currently run by a team of general practitioners (known as visiting medical officers, or VMOs), who are supported by emergency physicians from Maitland Hospital from 8am to 6pm weekdays.
Cessnock Hospital Medical Staff Council chairman Dr Ken Dobler said they have been told if the COVID-19 situation becomes much worse, the emergency doctors would be called back to Maitland, meaning Cessnock's emergency department could be scaled back.
But the VMOs have stepped up and offered to close their practices one day a fortnight to keep the emergency department running as usual if that scenario were to occur.
"The GPs have really stepped up to the plate and are doing everything they can to keep services unchanged at Cessnock Hospital," Dr Dobler said.
"This scenario has not happened yet - we are just being prepared for it.
"When it does happen, it will happen quickly, and we need to be ready."
Dr Dobler has written to all of the medical practices in Cessnock to see if any of the local GPs who aren't VMOs would consider becoming so, and help out in the same way, to "fill the gaps".
He said he has had some "positive, productive discussions" with a number of doctors and is hopeful more will commit to helping out at the hospital should the need arise.
Dr Dobler said the emergency department has been "a little less busy" lately due to fewer people presenting with minor problems and sporting injuries.
"However, if the virus takes hold in the community there will then be an upswing in presentations," he said.
Cessnock Hospital does not act as a screening clinic for COVID-19 - the nearest clinic is at Maitland Hospital.
People who are displaying symptoms (which include fever, cough, runny nose, a sore throat and shortness of breath) should contact their GP, or healthdirect on 1800 022 222, before visiting a clinic.
As of 8pm Monday, there were 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area - a figure that has remained stable since Thursday.
There were 248 confirmed cases across the Hunter New England Health District, with 12 patients being cared for in hospital, including five in intensive care.