While an evacuation was undertaken, by 10am staff and patients had returned to the hospital.

Police from the Far South Coast Local Area Command were on scene to investigate a reported bomb threat. 

“As I understand it, the police rang us to say they were aware of a bomb threat, particularly to the emergency department,” Bega Valley Health Service general manager Heather Austin said.

“They took it seriously and advised us to evacuate the hospital.

“That went exceedingly well, as it was amazing how many people were in the hospital.”

Ms Austin said although they had to close down surgery, the evacuation went well and “it was all over in 10 minutes”.

“Basically all went well, there were not adverse outcomes, no one was hurt,” she said.

 “It was obviously a false alarm, but the police did respond very promptly.

“They were commenting that it had been a very orderly evacuation.”

Police were making further investigations into the hoax with the potential for charges to be laid.