NOVEMBER 18, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
infocus Road to recovery I SPECIAL EDITION SEE INSIDE
Picnic at Wyndham Restaurants and cafes across Werribee and surrounds are serving up a delicious selection of food and drinks to enjoy in the great outdoors. With warmer days and the easing of pandemic restrictions, residents are being encouraged to visit the area’s open spaces to enjoy a picnic. Shadowfax Wines, Wyndham Cache, the Lancemore Mansion Hotel at Werribee Park, The Park Hotel and Wolf on Watton all have take-away picnic hampers available. Other options include cheese boards, antipasto and sweet treats. Picnic spots to choose from include the Werribee Park Precinct, the Victoria State Rose Garden, the banks of Werribee River, the Werribee South Foreshore or Wyndham Harbour. The newly renovated Wyndham Park in Werribee is also a great spot to visit with children. Pre-book your hamper, mask-up and plan ahead to picnic safely in line with restrictions for outdoor gatherings. For the latest information about state government restrictions, visit http://www. dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
Rachel and Joy at Werribee Park, enjoying a take-away picnic hamper from Shadowfax Winery. (Supplied)
Hospital under pressure By Alesha Capone Werribee Mercy Hospital does not have the capacity or infrastructure to manage the rapidly increasing demand for its services, according to a top official. Mercy Health Group chief executive Stephen Cornelissen has called for the hospital to be redeveloped to expand its capacity and the services it can offer. It comes as latest Victorian Agency for Health Information (VAHI) data revealed the median waiting time for patients at Werribee Mercy Hospital’s emergency department (ED) was 31 minutes between July and September
this year – the longest wait time in the state. Ninety per cent of patients at Werribee Mercy were seen by a nurse or doctor within 158 minutes, compared to 176 minutes a year earlier. Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said the Werribee Mercy “faces significant challenges that contribute to recording ED waiting times that are longer than any other Victorian public hospital”. “Werribee Mercy Hospital does not have the capacity nor the infrastructure to manage the rapidly increasing demand for our hospital’s services,” he said. “We currently have 15 cubicles in our ED, many of which are frequently
occupied by patients waiting for mental health inpatient placement or community transfer. “We are also treating increasingly more complex health issues at our hospital as a result of having an Intensive Care Unit.” Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said ED presentations are projected to increase by more than 107 per cent by 2026 as a result of Wyndham’s population growth. Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said Werribee Mercy was grateful the state government had constructed the Catherine McAuley Building, with an eight-bed Intensive Care Unit and additional surgical capacity, two years ago. “However, what our hospital and, most
importantly, the people of Melbourne’s west needs, is to move forward with additional redevelopment through the expansion of both the physical capacity of Werribee Mercy Hospital, and the services that it provides.” Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said that new infection control safety measures, plus the furloughing of hospital staff due to coronavirus infection or close contact with the virus, had contributed to ED waiting times. He said the “small improvement” to Werribee Mercy’s ED waiting times could be attributed to a number of service improvements implemented and a committed and high-performing workforce.
SUBSCRIBE to our DIGITAL EDITION - It's FREE OUT OF EGGS? Set up a recurring delivery to your door so you never run out again. It’s as simple as a couple of clicks of your mouse, place your order and within 48 hours your Farm Fresh Eggs will be delivered straight to your front door step. 170-198 Bulban Rd, Werribee VIC 3030 | (03 9741 0185
www.casaccioeggfarms.com.au
12467551-JW47-20
Our Farm produce store is back in full swing and we’re still delivering! Our customers are loving our delivery service. No mess! No fuss!