Good news- especially whilst I am off work.
There is now funding for telephone consults. This is important especially in three scenarios:
*The GP is obliged to self-isolate with suspected COVID19 (NOT me, currently!)
*The patient is obliged to self-isolate with suspected COVID19 (none of my patients, at this time of writing)
*There is a valid need to consult with the patient, and the patient has features which make them vulnerable to COVID19 either in terms of their own health, or by virtue of their need to consult me as their GP for an underlying chronic disease (requiring attendances at the Practice):
Being 70yo+
Being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander and 50yo+
Being Pregnant
Being a Mother or Father of an infant (under 12 months old)
Being Immunocompromised
Having treatment for Chronic Health Conditions
Please note: this does NOT include otherwise fit and well patients (including children 1yo+) with an acute issue.
As already described in other blog posts, if you have symptoms of a cough or cold, Practice triage protocols will apply.
REMEMBER THAT PERSONS WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED FROM OVERSEAS (HIGH RISK AREA, VISITED OR TRANSITTED THROUGH) IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, AND WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID19 IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, DO NOT GET TESTING FOR COVID19.
Testing is for those meeting those criteria with a fever and/or an acute respiratory illness.
Currently, I do not have the Personal Protective Equipment to do testing myself, and would refer cases to the local Morayfield Hub QML testing centre.
I applaud the Fed Govt for recognising the necessity for tel. consulting, and that patients needing to see me for their ongoing conditions could be regarded as being at risk by having to come to the Practice repeatedly.
However, this does NOT replace normal consulting, and I can not manage full days at the Practice and umpteen tel. calls, so patience and good judgement is required before calling to request these.
A message can be passed to me via reception- but please note that I may not be able to call back until perhaps even the end of the day, or later that evening. Please understand that.
Many thanks... Dr Steve