Arrangements are in hand to resume non-urgent elective day surgery by visiting surgeons at Millicent and District Hospital.

The Millicent Hospital operating theatres were closed on December 13 for the customary festive season break.

However, Category 1 and 2 urgent elective surgery has continued at Millicent Hospital, in line with the COVID Emergency Management Direction.

The SE Voice sent a number of precise questions about the use of operating theatres at Millicent to the media unit of SA Health.

In reply, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network issued this statement.

“The ability for surgery to resume at each hospital is dependent on several factors, including the availability of visiting surgeons and complexity of local outbreaks of COVID-19 in the local community,” stated a spokesperson.

“With this in mind, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network is planning for further elective surgeries to resume from Monday (February 14).

“This decision has been made in the best interest of our staff and our community and we thank everyone for their understanding while we make every effort to protect patients, staff, and visitors from the spread of COVID.”

Meanwhile, the Millicent Hospital COVID vaccination clinic continues at the former vet clinic at 65 Mount Gambier Rd, Millicent.

The clinic is open between 9am and 3pm Wednesday and Thursday and between 9am and 12pm on Saturdays for children aged between 5 and 11 years.

Some walk-in appointments are available for people aged 12 or above on Wednesdays and Thursdays for first and second doses, however bookings are recommended.

Bookings are essential for booster doses and for vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 years.

More than 69,000 first doses have been provided to children aged 5 to 11 years across South Australia.