‘Grinding Halt’: Shortage Could Cause Hospital Chaos

Emergency medical staff and Callum Cherrett Cardiology AT (C) treat a patient with suspected heart issues in the Emergency Department of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, on June 4, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Australia is being urged to boost onshore medical manufacturing as hospitals and veterinary clinics navigate an unprecedented shortage of intravenous fluids.

Hospital surgeries could be cancelled as soon as next week, the Australian Medical Association has warned, while veterinarians have been told to conserve supplies.