Infection control staff at Grey Base Hospital have identified that a visiting clinician has tested positive to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
As a consequence of this, the operating suites at Grey Base Hospital require a thorough cleaning, necessitating the suspension of surgery.
All patients and staff who have been in contact with the clinician are being contacted and tested to check their status for MRSA.
After cleaning and subsequent testing of the theatres to ensure that they are clear of MRSA, the West Coast District Health Board expects routine surgery to resume on Monday 8 September. One operating theatre will be available for acute surgery over the weekend.
The West Coast District Health Board apologises for any inconvenience to patients as a result of this unscheduled delay to surgery.
Patients with any queries regarding MRSA should contact the Clinical Nurse Specialist - Infection Control, ph (03) 769-7400.
For more information please contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email: