In response to this question, a spokesperson from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) said districts work in close collaboration and the transfer of patients to specialised care units routinely occurs.

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"Shoalhaven Hospital has well established plans to care for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19," the spokesperson said.

"This includes staff surge planning and reconfiguring wards to establish a dedicated COVID-19 patient ward and expanding Intensive Care Unit capacity to care for patients who may require ventilation.

"These plans are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect the latest situation with the spread of COVID-19."

The spokesperson also confirmed all staff members working in high-risk areas including COVID-19 wards and ICU are fully vaccinated and trained in the mandated use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

At a press conference on Monday morning, ISLHD chief executive Margot Mains said the decision to transfer COVID-positive patients from Sydney to Wollongong Hospital was the result of a networked health system and had the support of local frontline staff.

"We also have considerable capability ... we have the right environment, we have a specially dedicated COVID ward with appropriate ventilation, we've got fully trained staff, they're all vaccinated, they've got the right PPE, they're all trained in ICU and the COVID ward, and they were keen for us to operate and offer their skills to people in an area that's under considerable pressure," she said.

NSW Nurses and Midwives' Union assistant general secretary Shaye Candish said Wollongong nurses had more time to prepare for the virus compared to last year.

"This is really encouraging, as is their courage to face all the challenges that this pandemic is throwing at them," she said.

"Nurses and midwives are dedicated professionals, of course they've been keen to support their Sydney colleagues on the frontline and work to keep local communities safe."

All aspects of the operation to transfer patients to Wollongong's dedicated COVID ward and intensive care units are being overseen by the district's COVID taskforce which was established at the start of the pandemic.

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