ERH medical director Dr John Gallichio said 410 people attended the ED from Good Friday to Easter Monday — about a 15 per cent increase on usual numbers.
“We had a very busy weekend with a whole range of age groups and medical conditions — people with low-level injuries, fractures and older people with conditions of old age, including heart attacks,” he said.
“About 20 per cent were admitted for short or longer periods of time and there were the usual number of patients we had to transfer to other centres because of the need for specialist support.”
Dr Gallichio said the weekend was generally as expected, with an increased number of people in the twin towns.
“We had additional nursing and medical staff on duty to accommodate that and I’m thankful we did because I think that helped serve the community better,” he said.
“We’d expect the busyness in the emergency department, hopefully with nothing serious, but we’re there to support our visitors and the local community over the school holidays.”
Despite the influx, Dr Gallichio said there were no major issues of concern relating to the treatment of hospital staff.
“I’m thankful to the local community in terms of their behaviour,” he said.
“Our staff try and do the best they can in providing the best care but we need people’s co-operation to do that.”
In 2019, about 340 people attended ERH over the same Easter period.
More local news
Ute stolen near Tongala dumped in river at Moama
Dominant day on court sees Moama exact revenge on Echuca United
First prize winner pays it forward in CLRS monthly Mega Draw
19°C