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ABC News
7 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
‘Get vaccinated': Hospitals under pressure as elective surgeries remain on hold
Elective surgeries remain on hold at several major Queensland hospitals, with state leaders calling the influx of flu and COVID-19 patients taking up valuable beds "overwhelming" and "startling". The State Government announced on Wednesday that non-urgent surgeries were postponed for two days at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital, and Caboolture Hospital. The delay affects around 185 patients. While urgent category one procedures will go ahead, category two and three surgeries, like knee or hip surgeries, have been paused to free up resources. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said elective surgeries were expected to resume Monday, depending on whether case numbers remained steady. "When our beds get full, that restricts the amount of people who can come through emergency departments so we've had to free up beds by pausing elective surgery so we've got capacity in the system," he said. "I've got an overnight report that the situation has steadied, and we haven't had a huge surge. The night before we had 106 people at Redcliffe Hospital and 102 at Caboolture at 9.30pm — there was a big surge Wednesday evening that led to that decision. "Anyone in an emergency should call Triple 0 and our emergency departments will provide quality care." Mr Nicholls said the department was keeping a "watching brief" on numbers, which would determine whether further elective surgery cancellations occurred this flu season. "We're seeing similar presentations in Rockhampton, Gladstone and Ipswich where we're seeing big surges of winter flu and that's why the vaccination is so important," he said. "Last week, more than 250 people were hospitalised with flu and on average, 169 patients are currently in hospital with flu and about 150 with COVID." Staff shortages are also adding to the strain, as more frontline workers fall ill. "Our nurses and doctors are being exposed and our rosters are getting affected by clinicians coming down with the flu, so that's adding to the challenge and our hospitals are doing a mighty job," Mr Nicholls said. He warned this year's winter surge had been one of the most challenging in recent times. "This year it's been worse, there's been a 16 per cent increase in the number of people presenting and 90 per cent presenting with flu are unvaccinated," he said. Patients and health workers have voiced concerns over the system's capacity during flu season. Lou, a patient at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, said she believed the surgery suspension should be extended because "it's crowded and ramping is up to six, seven hours. "It's choc-a-block," she said. "I was in the Emergency [Department] for seven hours. It should be extended for a lot more than 48 hours. There's not enough staff and the nurses just work and get no recognition." Nursing students, Sarah and Gina, currently on placement at RBWH, said they feared the delays would impact their training. "We're just a bit sad we might not get to experience some learning opportunities in some areas," Sarah said. "We've selected this placement for surgical at RBWH as one of the biggest hospitals in South East Queensland, so we're hopeful we can care for people in surgery as well as those with cold and flu. "For us, it means it makes it difficult from a learning perspective. Everyone should get vaccinated, it really does help. It's preventable," Gina added. Since the end of 2021, there has been a pattern for COVID-19 where there are two peaks of deaths - one between November and January and the other between May and August. Nationally, there were 581 deaths due to COVID-19 and 180 deaths due to influenza in the first four months of 2025. Mr Nicholls said low vaccination rates were contributing to hospital pressure and strongly urged Queenslanders to get the flu shot. "The government put $25 million into free flu vaccines so my real call to Queenslanders is to make sure you get the vaccine - it's safe, it's tested and it may prevent you from coming to hospital," he said. "Queensland Health have been pushing people to get the flu vaccine that's been available since May 1 for free, but unfortunately sometimes it does take these sorts of circumstances to bring it to people's minds. "It's not too late, don't think the season is half way through. Get the vaccination. There's no good reason not to get it. It's the best thing you can do for yourself, your family and your community." Queensland Health is contacting patients whose surgeries have been delayed.
ABC News
09-07-2025
- ABC News
Warnings over gas leaks after deadly explosion in Kingscliff home
Authorities are warning people to maintain regular safety checks on gas appliances after a house fire started by a suspected LPG-fuelled explosion fatally injured an elderly northern New South Wales man. The 85-year-old suffered severe burns to 50 per cent of his body when the fire erupted just before 7:30am on Monday in a demountable home at a residential village in Kingscliff. He was flown to the Royal Brisbane Hospital but police confirmed on Wednesday he had died. The man's 83-year-old wife, who was also in the home, suffered burns on her face and body and was taken to hospital. The home and a nearby car were destroyed by the blaze in over-50s village Noble Lakeside Park. NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewbury said there were clear indications gas was involved. "We've got evidence of a pretty decent flash fire or a minor explosion, which has pushed a lot of the construction of that demountable outside of where we would normally expect if it was a fire that started in a kitchen or in a lounge or a TV," he said. "So there is information to indicate there has been some sort of vapour that has ignited. "One of the things that we do know was, on-scene were LPG or gas cylinders." Superintendent Dewbury said gas leaks were not uncommon and a leak could cause could an explosion. "LPG is heavier than air so it does sit low. It can travel some distance to find an ignition source," he said. "There only needs to be a small amount of gas that's escaped in a small area, like a room, and it can be ignited by a light switch or a fridge thermostat or your heater thermostat clicking on to actually ignite that gas and literally blow your home apart and start a fire. He recommended homeowners have gas cylinders, systems and appliances checked regularly for leaks. "You can do a simple test, just with some soapy water: splash it or spray it around and look for any air bubbles. If you get those gas bubbles, turn the gas bottle off and go for a reseal. "If you can't get it sealed up, call in a licensed tradesperson." NSW government gas safety tips: Plumber and gasfitter David Hipwell said gas appliances and equipment should be checked every couple of years to ensure there were no leaks, particularly from aging appliances. "Over the years, the standard has increased," he said. "There are a lot of safety features that they have added to the appliances over the years to make them safer." However, gas could leak from pipes and regulators and Mr Hipwell recommended a pressure check. "So what that does, it tests the entire line for any sorts of leaks and that will test the appliances and the pipes," he said. "Signs of a gas leak would be the smell of gas, firstly, difficulty in lighting and difficulty in keeping it alight, and excessive gas consumption. "With gas cooking, an orange flame is very dangerous for carbon monoxide poisoning." Gasfitters must hold a licence in NSW and Queensland and must certify any work they do.
ABC News
09-07-2025
- ABC News
Man dies after suspected gas explosion in Kingcliff retirement village
A man has died following a suspected gas explosion at a northern New South Wales retirement village earlier this week. The 85-year-old suffered severe burns to 50 per cent of his body after a fire erupted at his demountable home at Noble Lakeside Park, an over-50s village at Kingscliff, on Monday. He was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition but died from his injuries overnight. The man's 83-year-old wife, who was also inside the home when the fire broke out, was taken to Tweed Valley Hospital with minor burns to her face and body. She is in a stable condition. A resident of the park who did not wish to be identified said people living nearby described their homes shaking from an explosion. The resident told the ABC that after the blast two neighbours rushed into the home and got the couple out before the structure was engulfed in flames. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewbury said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but the debris pattern suggested a gas leak. "We've also got evidence of a pretty decent flash-fire or a minor explosion, which has pushed a lot of the construction of that demountable outside of where we would normally expect it than if it was a fire that started in a kitchen or in a lounge," he said. "So there is information to indicate there has been some sort of vapour that has ignited. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Man fighting for life with third-degree burns after giant explosion flattened his home on the NSW North Coast
An elderly man is fighting for life with third-degree burns after a giant explosion flattened his demountable home on the NSW North Coast. Up to 14 firefighters rushed to control the blaze at the residence on Mary Street at Noble Lakeside Park, Kingscliff, about 7.30am on Monday. Crews arrived to find the home - located in an over-50s retirement village - flattened and in pieces after the explosion blew the walls and roof apart. An 85-year-old man with severe burns was rushed to Royal Brisbane Hospital in a critical condition, while an 83-year-old woman was taken to Tweed Valley Hospital in a stable condition with minor burns to her face and body. NSW Ambulance Inspector Paul Millard said their injuries were 'significant'. 'The home was completely destroyed,' he said. Fire and Rescue NSW told Daily Mail Australia that the explosion may have been caused by a leaking LPG system. Police also said initial investigations revealed the fire may have been sparked by a leak from an internal portable gas appliance. LPG vapour is highly flammable, and air mixtures containing between two and ten per cent can easily ignite and explode. A resident of the park who did not want to be named, said she felt and heard the explosion before she saw black smoke pouring out of the home. 'It was huge. People up the hill in Cudgen say their homes shook,' she told the ABC. The woman said neighbours ran into the home to rescue the elderly couple before it became fully engulfed in flames. 'I just pray they're going to be OK,' she said. 'It's just so sad.'
ABC News
07-07-2025
- ABC News
Kingscliff retirement village explosion leaves elderly couple hospitalised
An elderly couple are receiving treatment in hospital after being injured during an explosion at their home that authorities suspect may have been caused by a gas leak. Emergency services were called to a demountable home on Mary Street at Noble Lakeside Park — an over-50s retirement village in Kingscliff — at about 7:20am on Monday. Four fire trucks and 14 firefighters responded to reports of an explosion and fire. On arrival, the demountable was well alight. An 83-year-old woman with minor burns to her face and body is in a stable condition at Tweed Valley Hospital. An 85-year-old man was taken by the rescue helicopter to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with severe burns and is reportedly in a critical condition. NSW Ambulance Inspector Paul Millard described the injuries as "significant". "[The home] was completely destroyed," Mr Millard said. Fire and Rescue NSW is working with NSW Police to determine whether the blast was caused by a leaking LPG system. Firefighters stopped the resulting fire from spreading to nearby homes.
