Elective surgeries may soon be delayed due to staff shortages, Victorian hospital body says

Exclusive: Four health services already failing to meet nurse-to-patient ratios ahead of expected Covid surge

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Victoria's peak public hospital body has warned elective surgeries could be wound back if demand for emergency care spikes during a predicted surge in Covid cases in the coming weeks.

The state's Department of Health confirmed to Guardian Australia that four health services across the state were already not meeting the minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

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