Emergency departments at the Base and nearby St John of God Hospital have been under strain from a significant increase in patients presenting with flu-like symptoms.

St John of God is reporting a record high in influenza cases, while at the Base, there has been between a 45-49 per cent increase on patients with flu-like symptoms.

BHS acute operations executive director Ben Kelly said they had not made any decision lightly in what was a challenging and difficult time for healthcare across the state.

This includes reassessing some elective surgeries due to full beds.

“We’re really reluctant to change elective surgery, especially because some people have been waiting a long time and, if you’re booked in you have to prepare for it,” Mr Kelly said.

“...We’re just asking some to wait during this difficult time and we’re doing our best we can in how else we might help in the meantime.”

A need for beds has also put into play swing beds in the paediatric and adolescent ward, which has been temporarily relocated for a ward redevelopment. Children are based in what had been an adult ward.

Mr Kelly said each case was carefully considered, partitioned from the children’s ward, and only made without compromising space when needed with the children’s ward.

Flu season is expected to run deep into October but, Mr Kelly said it had lasted into December in past years – the season just had to run its course.

“We’re very much living, sleeping and breathing flu season right now,” Mr Kelly said.

BHS is reiterating the message of Victoria’s chief health officer, urging anyone with less urgent cases to visit their general practitioner, pharmacist (including the 24-hour UFS Supercare Pharmacy in Sturt Street near the hospital) or nurse-on-call. 

GPs are also encouraged to only send the most serious cases to hospital emergency departments.

Mr Kelly said strong communication between hospitals, the community and health services was important to best help everyone in need. BHS is providing updates via its Facebook page.

Flu-like illesses have also struck hard at schools across the region, wiping out up to half the student population.