Melbourne hospitals on Code Yellow as heat poses power risk

Melbourne hospitals, including The Alfred, have enacted a 'Code Yellow' and switched off non-essential lights and equipment to conserve energy amid Friday's searing heat.

The Alfred Hospital is confirmed that it was reducing the non-essential power on Friday.

The Health Department told Melbourne hospitals to prepare their emergency plans in the case of power outages.

"The department yesterday wrote to all hospitals advising them to prepare for the impact of extreme heat," a spokesperson said on Friday.

"This includes preparing for increased patient demand and possible energy disruptions.”

Read Liam Mannix and Anna Prytz’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Melbourne hospitals on Code Yellow as heat poses power risk.”

'Modify facilities or move Australian Open': health and safety expert

The Australian Open shouldn't be held in January unless changes are made to Melbourne Park to protect players and fans from the searing heat, a health and safety expert has warned.

Players at the Australian
tennis open are suffering,
as are many spectators.

Players and spectators sweltered through 39-degree conditions at Melbourne Park, with 42 degrees the forecast for Friday.

Some clever kids took refuge in the water fountains at Garden Square to beat the heat. Outside courts with shade had spectators sitting out of the sun while courts with no shade were empty.

The crowd of 38,072 was down about 10,000 people on the two previous day-time totals.

Most players looked uncomfortable, but Frenchman Gael Monfils battled the most. He lost to Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena where the on-court temperature was 69 degrees. 

He won the first set but then crumbled, virtually giving up in some points, to lose in four sets.

Read The Sydney Morning Herald story by Gene Efron and Anthony Colangelo - “'Modify facilities or move Australian Open': health and safety expert.”