Update two - Switchboard incident at Canberra Hospital

ACT Health, with the assistance of emergency service crews and ActewAGL, has been working through the night to manage this incident.

The safety of patients and staff remains our number one priority.

Power is returning to the main building and work will continue throughout the morning. The Canberra Hospital Switchboard is also operational again.

Hospital Road, which runs through the Canberra Hospital campus remains closed until further notice with traffic management plans in place. However, access to the National Capital Private Hospital will be permitted for staff and National Capital Private Hospital patients from 6am, Thursday 6 April 2017.

The community are advised of important service changes at the Canberra Hospital today (Thursday 6 April 2017). Throughout the day we would also encourage the community to keep updated on hospital services that have been affected on the ACT ESA website.

We thank the community for their patience as we manage this incident and remind people if possible not to visit the hospital today to see your loved ones - please call their mobile phones during this busy time.

Service Changes at The Canberra Hospital
Outpatient Clinics - POSTPONED
All outpatient clinics across the campus are cancelled on Thursday 6 April 2017.

Outpatient clinics will be contacting patients to reschedule these appointments in the coming days.

Elective Surgery - POSTPONED
All elective surgeries scheduled for Thursday 6 April 2017 will be postponed.

Patients will be phoned by staff from ACT Health advising of this and provide a new booking time.

Maternity Services - OPERATIONAL
The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children (Building 11) is not affected by the incident.

Women who go into labour and are scheduled to give birth at the Centenary Hospital, should present at Centenary Hospital as per their birth plan.

For women booked through the Foetal Medicine Unit for a caesarean, as elective surgery services have been postponed for Thursday 6 April, you will be contacted by the Surgical Booking Unit.

Emergency Care - RESTRICTED
The Canberra Hospital Emergency Department remains operational for major trauma. However, community members self presenting for emergency care are strongly encouraged to go to the Calvary Hospital Emergency Department.

For life-threatening emergencies and need of an ambulance call Emergency Triple Zero (000).

Reminder of services available
Walk-In Centres - FULLY OPERATIONAL
For people with minor illness or injury the community is reminded of the Walk In Centres in Tuggeranong and Belconnen.

Walk-In Centres will open at 7am on 6 April 2017.

Community Health Centres - FULLY OPERATIONAL
For appointments at Community Health Centres, please contact the Community Health Intake Line on (02) 6207 9977.

The Community Health Intake is ACT Health's central booking line for community based services.

Other after-hours health services - FULLY OPERATIONAL
The community can seek after hours health services from Health Direct via 1800 022 222 or the National Home Doctor service on 13SICK (13 74 25) for a GP home-visit.