The State’s Chief Health Officer has praised the efforts of staff providing critical care to eight NSW residents injured in New Zealand’s White Island volcano tragedy.
Chief Health Officer at NSW Health, Kerry Chant said the commitment and skills of all health staff involved in the recovery effort was “incredible”.
“Even as we continue to mourn the loss of our fellow Australians, our focus in the NSW Health system is on treating the critical injuries suffered by those now in our care,” Dr Chant said.
“Five patients are being treated at Concord Hospital and three patients are being treated at Royal North Shore Hospital, with two more on the way home soon,” she said.
Dr Chant said NSW Health and Organ Tissue Donation Services had provided a large volume – 10,000 sq/cm – of skin to New Zealand to assist with the management of burns victims.
“I assure the community that NSW has skin available to treat those burns patients being repatriated to NSW as well as potential bush fire burns injuries,” she said.
Head of Department of Operating Theatres and Plastic Surgery at Concord State-wide Burns Service, Peter Haertsch said patients had suffered severe contact skin burns and severe injuries due to inhalation of gas and ash during the eruption.
“We are looking at extensive and intensive care for these patients, some of whom are still in a life-threatening condition,” Dr Haertsch said.
