Elective Surgeries Temporarily Halted at Key Queensland Hospitals Amid Flu Surge

In a significant public health measure, elective surgeries at four major hospitals in Queensland have been suspended for 48 hours due to an alarming spike in influenza cases. The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital, and Caboolture Hospital have all been affected by this decision, which aims to alleviate pressure on overwhelmed emergency departments.

The announcement was made by Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls on July 16, 2025, following reports of over 250 hospitalizations due to influenza in the preceding week. This surge in flu cases has coincided with ongoing COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 190 patients admitted for treatment related to the virus, according to the latest health statistics. Minister Nicholls stated that the Metro North Hospital and Health Service was raised to a tier three status, necessitating the diversion of resources to emergency departments to manage the crisis effectively.

"The reason for this pause across multiple facilities is that they are, quite frankly, being overwhelmed with flu and COVID presentations," Nicholls explained. He emphasized the need for a temporary halt to category two and three elective surgeries, affecting 185 patients, while urgent category one surgeries will continue as scheduled.

As of this year, nearly 3,600 Queenslanders have been hospitalized with influenza, a figure that Minister Nicholls described as "startling." He noted that approximately 90% of those hospitalized with flu symptoms had not received vaccination, highlighting an urgent public health concern regarding low vaccination rates. "Not enough people are getting the vaccination at the moment," he stated.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMA Queensland) has echoed these concerns. Dr. Paul Griffin, the AMA Queensland director, urged residents to obtain their free flu vaccinations promptly to help reduce the pressure on the state’s healthcare system. He reported a 16% increase in flu-related hospitalizations compared to the previous year, stressing the importance of community participation in vaccination efforts.

Despite the temporary suspension of elective surgeries, Minister Nicholls reassured the public that emergency departments remain operational, urging individuals to seek hospital care if they experience severe illness. "If you are ill and you feel you need to go to a hospital, go to an emergency department. You will be looked after, you will get care, you will get treatment," he affirmed.

Looking ahead, the Queensland Health Department remains cautiously optimistic that the 48-hour pause will be enough to stabilize the situation. However, Minister Nicholls acknowledged that the extension of this pause may be necessary depending on the volume of emergency presentations in the coming days. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by health authorities in managing seasonal flu outbreaks alongside the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current crisis serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccinations and public health measures in safeguarding the community's health. As Queensland grapples with this health emergency, the focus will remain on increasing vaccination rates and ensuring that hospitals can provide adequate care to all patients, both for elective procedures and emergency cases.