News

As of 8.30am, 4 June 2025, Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) has stood down the Code Yellow - Internal Emergency - enacted in response to sustained access and flow challenges across our hospitals.

The decision follows an assessment clinical risk and health service readiness to accept and treat patients.  It reflects the success of our coordinated efforts across our health service to manage the increase in presenting acuity within our emergency departments, particularly a sharp increase in Category 3 over the last 7 days, as well as safe discharges to home and / or appropriate step-down services.

While we acknowledge that pressure on our health system continues, particularly as we enter the winter period with heightened respiratory illness activity, we are now in a stabilised position to continue to support safe, timely access to care. This is due to the extraordinary professionalism, flexibility and collaboration of our staff across every discipline.

Key operational measures remain in place to support safe and timely care delivery, including oversight from our dedicated Progression of Care Hub and standard daily operating procedures. These systems and processes support timely discharge, streamlined escalation, and effective patient flow within and outside the hospitals.

We thank colleagues across NSW and Victoria, including Ambulance Victoria, NSW Ambulance, and surrounding health services, for their terrific support.

A Code Yellow provides an authorising environment to ensure all activities of the health service are focused on providing safe, timely care for our community. A Code Yellow is not just a system alert, it’s a public acknowledgment that our frontline staff are working under challenging circumstances and need full organisational and system wide support.

I would remind the community If it’s not an emergency, please consider alternatives: See your GP or urgent care clinic (Border Urgent Care Centre - Albury and the Priority Primary Care Centre – Wodonga), Virtual ED, Nurse on Call and / or pharmacist.

Please also be mindful of visiting friends and family in a healthcare setting should you be experiencing respiratory symptoms yourself. 

Lastly, please get your flu and COVID vaccinations – it’s not too late!

Bill Appleby, CEO Albury Wodonga Health

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sadie Tilleray
Director of Communications
Albury Wodonga Health
sadie.tilleray@awh.org.au