The staffing boost is part of a $2.1 million investment in a range of strategies aimed at managing increased patient demand over the notoriously busy quarter.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) chief executive Margot Mains said she was confident hospitals were ready to tackle winter.

“We also have procedures in place for opening additional beds during periods of high demand during winter to ensure patients go through emergency as quickly as possible,” she said. “In addition we will ensure we have extra staff for the season for when any workers become ill themselves.”

It was the worst flu season on record for the ISLHD in 2017, with 4897 confirmed cases – 2374 in August alone. ​That compared to 1253 cases for the whole of 2016.

That led to a “significant rise in demand” for services, Ms Mains said. From July to September alone, more than 40,000 people presented to emergency departments across the district, an increase of 3000 people (or eight per cent) on the previous year.

There’s been a steady start to the 2018 flu season with 119 confirmed cases already this year, compared to 204 for the same period last year.

Ms Mains reminded the community to visit their GP for treatment of less serious illnesses to ensure EDs were freed-up for emergencies.

She said the district had also been working with the Primary Health Network and residential aged care facilities to help them prepare and educate staff and patients about preventative measures.

The NSW Government has spent $22.75 million on statewide immunisation programs in 2017-18 – including $3.5 million for free flu shots to children up to five years and a $1.75 million immunisation and influenza prevention campaign.

Almost 4000 ISLHD staff have already had flu shots and another 60 vaccination sessions are scheduled for other staff in June.

NSW Health has this year made the flu vaccine mandatory for staff who work in intensive care units and cancer, transplant, neonatal and birthing wards.