West Australian hospitals will scale back their COVID-19 screening protocols in a bid to free up staff and allow more visitors. Public hospitals will also shift from “red alert” to a new blue alert level from August 15, bringing an end to several months of heightened precautions.

Australian Medical Association WA President Mark Duncan-Smith spoke with Oliver Peterson on Perth Live.

“This plan was actually delayed by a month based on feedback by frontline doctors and it does show to their credit the McGowan Government is responsible and looking after the wellbeing of WA hospitals and people,” he told Oly.

“Let’s make sure we are looking at this for the right reasons. This is not going to improve ramping or access to beds in the hospital systems at all. This is more about movement around the hospital.”

Press PLAY to hear more on what this will mean for WA’s hospitals.