BY JESSICA ROUSE

Shadow Minister for Health Walt Secord has renewed his criticism of the Berejiklian Government after a massive jump in the number of flu cases in the Hunter and across the state.

We are just over half way through July, and already there’s been more than 350 reported cases of influenza this month in the Hunter’s hospitals and across the state there been a record4,085 reported cases to the official database for NSW Influenza notifications.

Walt Secord says the government were unprepared for the huge spike in influenza cases which he says has led to an increase in the number of “bed block” incidents.

“So you have a situation where patients wait at every stage, they wait for an ambulance, they wait for the emergency department and then they wait for a bed. Sadly the Berejiklian government has been caught unprepared for the flu season – we’re on track to have one of the worst years on record for flu.”

The flu season is smashing regional hospitals, particularly The Calvary Mater Hospital.

“Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle is one of the three hospitals that have been cited as being under enormous pressure so again Newcastle is also feeling the brunt of this flu season,” said Walt Secord.

He adds while it may be too late for the government to do anything about it this flu season, there are things we can do ourselves.

“You can still get your flu shot – if you’re feeling well you can get your flu shot. I had my flu shot in April and I haven’t missed a moment of work so again there’s still time to get your flu shot. August is usually seen as the high month, the worst time of the year so there’s still time.”