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CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC PRACTICE UPDATE

Dear Patients,

Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak that we are experiencing as a community, we have had to reduce our operating hours, we are now open the following hours only:

Monday - 7.00 - 5.00
Tuesday - 7.00 - 5.00
Wednesday - 7.00 - 5.00
Thursday - 7.00 - 5.00
Friday - 7.00 - 4.00
These opening hours are subject to change at any time.

Due to these changing times and new government legislation, the practice has had to change the way we operate to ensure the safety of our patients and staff during this Coronavirus outbreak.

We will now require all patients to call us on 3356 3300 to make an appointment to see their doctor or make any inquiry about their health, results etc. You will no longer be able to walk into the practice to make appointments etc you will need to call us first.

Due to the new social distancing rules introduced by the government we have had to close off our waiting room to all patients and you will now have to call us when you arrive at the practice for your appointment and we will inform you when you are able to come up for your appointment with your doctor.

We are currently not able to see new patients.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tracts of humans, Doctors associate them with the common cold, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19. This current Coronavirus came from China and has now spread across the world.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms vary from person-to-person with COVID-19. It may produce few or no symptoms. However it can also lead to severe illness and may be fatal. Common symptoms include:

> Fever
> Breathlessness
> Cough

It may take 2-14 days for a person to notice symptoms after infection.

Please inform our receptionist if the following apply to you when making your appointment, as you need to meet certain criteria before you are able to be tested. PLEASE BE AWARE WE ARE NOT TESTING FOR CORONAVIRUS AT THE PRACTICE!

A suspected case is currently defined in the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Public Health Units as meeting the criteria in any of the three categories below:

A - If the patient satisfies epidemiological and clinical criteria
Epidemiological criteria:

International travel in the 14 days before illness onset
OR

Close contact in 14 days before illness onset with a confirmed case of COVID-19
(a close contact is defined as requiring EITHER greater than 15 minutes face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed case in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case, OR sharing of a closed space with a confirmed case for a prolonged period (e.g. more than 2 hours) in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case. Further information is available in the National Guidelines for Public Health Units)

AND Clinical criteria:

Fever (≥ 38C*) or history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills)
OR

Acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough,sore throat) with or without fever


B - If the patient has severe bilateral community-acquired pneumonia (critically ill*) and no other cause is identified, with or without recent international travel, they are classified as a suspect case.
*requiring care in ICU/HDU, or for patients in which ICU care is not appropriate, respiratory or multiorgan failure. Clinical judgement should be exercised considering the likelihood of COVID-19.


C - If any healthcare worker with direct patient contact has a fever (≥38C*) AND an acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat), they are classified as a suspect case

We are now able to offer Bulk Billed Telehealth services to eligible patients please call us to see if you are eligible.

NB: If you are experiencing serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing - CALL 000 FOR URGENT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

As the health information is currently changing we suggest you check for current updates and information on the following websites:

Queensland Health -
www.qld.gov.au/coronavirus

Australian Government Department of Health –
www.health.gov.au

The National CORONAVIRUS Helpline – Open 24 HRS 7 DAYS
1800 020 080