Telehealth appointments

IF YOU SUSPECT YOU MAY HAVE CORONAVIRUS, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE. RING FIRST ON 03 9670 4011.

A telehealth consultation will then be arranged with one of our doctors to minimise the exposure of staff and patients to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Telehealth consults are bulk billed only for concessional patients, patients under 16 and over 70 years old, and patients who are at high risk of COVID-19 complications due to underlying medical conditions. All other patients will be billed at the clinic’s standard fees (Medicare rebates apply). If, after your telehealth consultation, the doctor requires your attendance at the clinic for a face to face consultation, an appointment will be made for you (standard consultation fees also apply).

Prof. Leon Piterman is available for telehealth appointments only. Dr Meridee Flower and Dr Mavis Vaz are available for both telehealth and face to face consultations. Dr Harry Imber is available for face to face consultations only.

COVID-19 Update

If you have mild symptoms that do not require a medical assessment, it is preferable that you stay at home until you are well. If you begin to feel unwell while at home, you can call the dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 hours, 7 days a week) for advice.

Patients who meet the following clinical criteria should be tested:

Fever OR chills in the absence of an alternative diagnosis.
OR
Acute respiratory infection that is characterised by cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
In addition, testing is recommended for people with new onset of other clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (headache, myalgia, runny or stuffy nose, anosmia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea)
AND
who are close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 or who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
All patients being tested for COVID-19 should home isolate until test results are available. However, you should attend your nearest hospital emergency department if clinical deterioration occurs.

You can reduce your risk of coronavirus by:

• Observing social distancing which currently requires you to be no closer than 4 square meters from other people.
• Washing your hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.
• Trying not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
• Isolating yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication ensure you have adequate supplies.
• Phoning your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
• Continuing healthy habits: exercise, drinking water, getting plenty of sleep, and aiming to quit smoking. Call the Quitline 137 848.
• Wearing a face mask if you are unwell.
• Buying an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
• Getting the flu shot (available now).
• Not shaking hands or touching others.

A current and informative explanation of the COVID-19 coronavirus can be found in the following video produced by CBC News Canada.