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Health Professionals Community Members

Advice for Community Members

COVID-19

(also known as novel coronavirus​)​

COVID-19 (also called the novel coronavirus) is a contagious respiratory illness. The virus first appeared in China at the end of 2019. It has spread to many countries, including Australia.

Symptoms include fever, cough, headache, runny nose and shortness of breath.

Those most at risk of infection are:

  • People who have recently travelled overseas.
  • People who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
  • People in correctional and detention facilities.
  • People in group residential settings.

If you are sick and think you might have COVID-19, check your symptoms using healthdirect’s COVID-19 Symptom Checker.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, people with even mild symptoms of respiratory infection should get tested.

COVID-19 testing is available across the NSW North Coast.

See our interactive map to find a testing location near you.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through:

  • close contact with an infectious person
  • droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
  • touching objects or surfaces (like door knobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face

COVID-19 is a new virus, so there is no existing immunity. It can spread widely and quickly.

We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting those who are most at risk.

People who are more at risk of serious illness if they get the virus are:

  • people with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer)
  • elderly people
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, due to higher rates of chronic illness
  • people with chronic medical conditions
  • people in group residential settings
  • very young children and babies

Good hygiene can prevent infection.

To slow the spread of COVID-19:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
  • Put used tissues straight into the bin.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs.
  • Clean and disinfect objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes.
  • Increase the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

You must self-isolate if you are sick, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or have recently returned from overseas.

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Advice on isolation

People need to isolate themselves in their home or hotel for 14 days:

  • starting from the last day you may have been in contact with a person sick with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) infection.
  • from the day you return from (any) overseas travel.

Even if you have been tested for COVID-19 and received a negative result, you will still need self-isolation for 14 days if you fulfil the above criteria.

Click here for more information about home isolation.

Keeping your distance

We all need to keep some distance from other people whenever possible. Some people call this ‘social distancing’, but we prefer the term ‘physical distancing’.

The idea is simple: the more space between yourself and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

For many people, physical distancing will involve breaking some long-formed habits. It’s hard to stay apart, we know. It’s also necessary at the moment. Preventing the spread can protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

  • Stay at home unless absolutely necessary.
  • Cut down on visits to the shops.
  • Work from home if you can. If you can’t work from home and you are sick, you must not attend your workplace. Stay at home and away from others.
  • Keep 1.5 metres away from others.
  • Avoid physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses.
  • Use tap and pay instead of cash.
  • Travel at quiet times and avoid crowds.
  • Avoid public gatherings and at-risk groups.

You can still keep in touch with loved ones while physical distancing.

  • Use video chats.
  • Schedule phone calls to chat with others you would normally see.
  • Use online groups to interact.
  • Chat with neighbours while keeping 1.5 metres apart.

If someone in your household is sick:

  • Care for the sick person in a single room, if possible.
  • Keep the number of carers to a minimum.
  • Keep the door to the sick person’s room closed. If possible, keep a window open.
  • Wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as the sick person. The sick person should also wear a mask.
  • Protect other vulnerable family members by keeping them away from the sick person.

Video and phone consultations create a safe space

You may be starting to hear and see the word ‘telehealth’.

Telehealth consultations are appointments conducted over the phone or using video-conferencing services like Skype, FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp. You can speak to your doctor through a phone, computer or tablet, or interact through a screen.

Video and phone consultations are a safe, easy-to-use option to access ongoing health care support at the same time as protecting ourselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. The Australian Government is working hard to make it easier for GPs, mental health professionals, specialists and other health workers to look after patients remotely.

If you are needing to access a health service, make sure you call first to ask about the options they have for video and phone consultations.

After making an appointment for your virtual consultation, it’s a good idea to prepare before your ‘visit’. For example:

  • Have your phone or device ready at the booked time.
  • Have a pen and paper handy to make notes.
  • Have a list of things you want to discuss or check, such as symptoms. Ask questions.
  • Be ready to tell your doctor what medications you are taking. You may need to spell out the names.
  • Be prepared to repeat back to your doctor what the plan and advice is, so they (and you) know you have understood everything.
  • Know what the plans are for follow up.
  • It’s important to speak clearly so your voice can be picked up by the microphone.
  • If you’re using a camera, don’t sit with a bright light behind you as this will make it difficult for the doctor to see you.

Of course, there are some cases where doctors will still need to do a physical examination. In those instances, patients will be asked to come into the clinic to be seen in person.

If you are concerned you have the symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath:

  • Call the 24-hour healthdirect help line on 1800 022 222
  • Call your GP or
  • Visit your local hospital’s emergency department.

People with medical conditions or due for routine screening should not let their regular doctor appointments slip due to COVID-19 fears.

North Coast Primary Health Network’s lead clinical adviser Dr Dan Ewald is concerned some people may be risking their health by cancelling appointments.

“General practices generally now have plenty of capacity for consultations,” Dr Ewald said.

“Almost all are comfortable with doing consultations by phone or video. And nearly all can arrange face-to-face visits if need be – just phone first so they can check there is no respiratory infection risk.”

Dr Ewald said GPs are embracing the move to telehealth, with more than 50 per cent of consultations now using audio or video technology. The number of face-to-face visits has fallen, but these appointments are still available if needed.

“Prescriptions, referrals and pathology can usually be organised very simply using telephone consultations, particularly where the doctor already knows the patient,” Dr Ewald said.

“Anyone with long term health conditions should continue their regular review visits and plan with their GP when this needs to be face to face. Most telehealth consultations will be bulk-billed.”

He said there is still a wait for flu vaccinations in some areas, but there will be plenty available in good time.

“We’re hearing some people can’t get through to their GP to make an appointment,” Dr Ewald said. “Don’t keep calling if your GP has said they will call you when the influenza vaccine is available.”

Support for senior Australians

Support services are available for older Australians to stay at home to protect themselves.

  • Try telehealth appointments with your GP rather than face-to-face appointments.
  • Ask your pharmacy about delivery options for prescriptions.
  • The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line provides information, support and connection from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Phone 1800 171 866.
  • People aged over 65 can access prepared meals or priority online and telephone grocery shopping. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 from Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
  • The Community Visitors Scheme arranges volunteer visits to older people to provide friendship and companionship. Click here for more information.
  • The FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat on 1800 424 287. All conversations are casual and anonymous, with friendly volunteers who are ready to talk about anything and everything.

Looking after your mental health

Anxiety and stress are natural in times of uncertainty.

Things you can do to help control these feelings include:

  • Limiting your exposure to news that upsets you. Stick to daily or twice daily updates from reliable sources.
  • Be sure to stay in touch with your social networks via email, social media and telephone to avoid being isolated.
  • Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines, eat healthy food and avoid excessive use of alcohol or other drugs.
  • Maintain perspective and try to adopt a practical and calm approach.

Some great tips for managing anxiety can be found at the links below:

If you’re struggling with your thoughts and feelings, try the services below:

On the NSW North Coast, Connect to Wellbeing can put you in touch with support services. Phone 1300 160 339 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

12 tips for working from home

Many people are now working from home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Working from home has lots of benefits, but it also presents some challenges.

Roses in the Ocean has compiled 12 tips to help people look after their physical and emotional health while away from their regular workplace.

One way to stay productive at home is to do some exercise as soon as you wake up, then dive into your to-do list. Starting a project first thing in the morning can help you to make progress on it throughout the day, and the exercise helps our physical and mental wellbeing.

The mental association you make between work and an office can make you more productive. At home, do all the things you’d do to prepare for an office role: set your alarm, get a coffee, wear nice clothes, etc.

When working from home, you need to manage yourself. To stay on schedule, segment what you’ll do, and when, over the course of the day. If you have an online calendar, create personal events and reminders that tell you when to shift gears and start new tasks.

Your bedroom and the couch are often associated with leisure time. Rather than working in these spaces, dedicate a specific room or surface in your home to work.

Connection is key to your social and emotional wellbeing. Working remotely means we miss out on the day-to-day catch ups and conversation. Make use of technology to connect socially, as well as for specific work purposes – a quick text or an emoji can express how you’re feeling.

Nobody sprints through their work from morning to evening – motivation ebbs and flows throughout the day. When you’re working from home, it’s all the more important to know when those ebbs and flows will take place. Plan your schedule around it.

To capitalise on your most productive periods, save your harder tasks for when you know you’ll be in the right headspace. Use slower points of the day to knock out the easier, logistical tasks that are also on your plate.

Spending time figuring out what you’ll do each day can take away from actually doing those things. Plan your weekly tasks on Friday afternoon so you’re ready to go for the next week. Then, try solidifying each daily schedule the day before, making it feel more official when you wake up and get started on it. It’s important to let your agenda change though, if you need it to.

Doing your laundry is a built-in timer for your home. Use the time to start and finish something from your to-do list before changing the load. Committing to one assignment during the wash cycle and another during the dry cycle can train you to work smarter on tasks you might technically have all day to tinker with.

You might be working from home, but still have ‘company’. Make sure any roommates, siblings, children, parents and spouses respect your space during work hours. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re home.

When working from home, it’s easy to get distracted – we can forget to take breaks altogether. Don’t let the guilt of working in the building you sleep in prevent you from taking five to relax. Use your breaks to get away from your desk. Go for a walk outside or spend time with others in the house.

You might be under the impression that working from home establishes more work-life balance. Be careful with that assumption! Working from home can also result in losing complete track of time.

In lieu of co-workers to remind you to leave the office, set an alarm at the end of the day to indicate your normal workday is coming to an end. You don’t have to stop at exactly then, but knowing the work day is over can help you to call it quits for the evening.

When you are in your own space, you can do your own things. Want to work in your pyjamas? That’s okay (though maybe not for video calls). The larger point is that you can set up and work in exactly the environment you want, one that works for you. Things that would feel odd in an office environment, like stretching exercises, can be performed with abandon when you’re alone.

How to talk to children about COVID-19

Children absorb information from the news, social media and discussions around them.

They have not yet developed the ability to fully process this information. This means parents or caregivers may need to explain what is happening.

It’s important to help kids understand, especially if their lives have been disrupted. Disruption includes things like being unable to attend school or visit their friends.

Australian Psychological Society president Ros Knight says research shows that being open and honest is the best way to help children cope with serious situations.

Sharing the news will help children to feel included. They won’t imagine the situation is worse than it is or blame themselves.

Sharing information shows that you trust and value them. This can enhance their resilience. Try not to overload children with too many details. Give small amounts of information, wait and then ask if they have any questions.

If you’re feeling stressed, worried or anxious, the Kids Helpline offers online and phone support. It helps those aged five-12, teens, young adults, parents, schools and teachers. Phone: 1800 551 800.

Another online resource is Emerging Minds. It talks to children about natural disasters, traumatic events or worries about the future.

Healthdirect Australia

Healthdirect Australia is working closely with the Commonwealth, State and Territory Health Departments to ensure  information and advice is regularly updated.

The healthdirect website includes the following information and tools:

  • Specific information on the new COVID-19 coronavirus, including symptoms, spread, rate of infection, diagnosis and treatment.
  • healthdirect blog FAQs about the COVID-19 coronavirus (‘novel coronavirus’)
  • healthdirect Symptom Checker guides you to the appropriate healthcare action, updated with information on novel coronavirus.
Visit the healthdirect website
  • Call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for people with questions regarding prevention and the spread of coronavirus.
  • Call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse who can provide advice when you’re not sure what to do — whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Resources for the Aboriginal community

Our Aboriginal Health Team is working closely with the community to ensure we are providing support in a way that is driven by community need.

Check out these great videos with messages for our mob. You can share this on Facebook or download the MP4 file.

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We have also developed this great community focused resource with more to come in the near future.

We understand the disappointment surrounding the cancellation of celebrations such as NAIDOC week and urge our mob to look after each other and continue to be resilient and proud of being part of the oldest living culture in the world!

Click to download

Advice for Health Professionals

Novel Coronavirus​ (COVID-19 also known as 2019-nCoV)​

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19 also known as 2019-nCoV) is a new strain of coronavirus affecting humans. 

If you can’t find the information you are looking for below, you can request additional assistance

Get Regular COVID-19 email updates 

Sign up for updates
View past emails

Quick links

Clinical Information

Mid & North Coast NSW HealthPathways has up-to-date clinical information for GP point-of-care

For a list of all localised pathways see:

Mid and North Coast Localised Pathways
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d

For further information about HealthPathways email [email protected]rg.au or [email protected]

Watch this two-minute video to learn how the HealthPathways COVID-19 response package helps general practice teams manage patients, prepare the practice, and keep up-to-date with rapid change in the health system. See how to send feedback on the content.

National COVID-19 Evidence Taskforce

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has launched a new website to provide:

  • weekly updates of evidence-based clinical guidelines updated with the latest research
  • taskforce endorsed flowcharts
  • evidence under review

Clinicians are invited to post questions about the clinical care of people with COVID-19 to help prioritise topics for the taskforce.

Please see links below for latest versions of Australian Guidelines for the Clinical Care of People with COVID-19:

Visit the website: covid19evidence.net.au

Practice Operations

Financial Assistance for General Practice

We know the COVID-19 situation has been a financial shock for general practices.

There are a variety of support measures in place for general practices affected by the impact of COVID-19. These include support measures from the Australian Government, the NSW Government, tax relief initiatives via the Australian Taxation Office and support packages from Australian banks.

A summary of available supports can be downloaded here.

Please also see an updated communique from the Department of Health on changes to the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) and Workforce Incentive Program (WIP).

You can download a COVID-19 and Employment Law summary here. This short document from Price Waterhouse Cooper summarises the issue of stand down and other employment considerations flowing from COVID-19.

To access free NBN connection upgrades (to 50 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload), please contact your internet provider. Better connectivity will support your move to telehealth.

Healthy North Coast would like to thank our generous colleagues from the Murrumbidgee PHN along with Medical Business Services, Riwka Hagen and Kim Poyner of Medicoach, for agreeing to share this segment of a longer webinar they held with GPs in Murrumbidgee last week. Riwka, an experienced practice manager and practice coach, goes through each of the forms of financial support and discusses how you might apply them. It’s just under 25 minutes and we hope it helps. Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Download masks information flyer

Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays an important role in protecting our health practitioners and community members as we respond to COVID-19. 

NSW Health and the Australian Government have developed guidance on the use of PPE for the healthcare workforce, including fact sheets and videos.

For guidance on mask use within the community, click here.

Healthy North Coast has access to a limited supply of personal protective equipment for distribution.

Surgical masks may be provided to general practice, ACCHS, pharmacies and allied health with demonstrated need. The intended use of surgical masks is:

  • For the protection of health professionals and staff who are required to have contact with patients at a distance of less than 1.5 metres in areas where there may be community transmission of COVID-19 and where local public health directions recommend masking in all clinical settings.
  • For the protection of health professionals and staff in direct contact with people presenting with respiratory symptoms.
  • For provision to people who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, for the protection of other patients and staff, and of the public while the patient returns home.

Masks distributed through PHNs cannot be sold as commercial stock. Anyone found to be selling masks will be charged full cost for all stock and no further provisions will be made.

GP Respiratory Clinics, General Practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

GP Respiratory Clinics and general practice including ACCHS are eligible to access surgical masks:

  • Where there is no local supply available commercially.
  • Where practices are in a location where there may be community transmission of COVID-19.
  • Where practices have an unusual number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.

General Practices and ACCHS will generally be allocated two boxes (100 masks) in each delivery cycle. Additional masks may be provided for larger practices or those with other demonstrated need. Requests will be assessed on a case by case basis.

After-hours GP home visiting services, MDS and nurse practitioner owned or led primary care practices will be allocated one box (50 masks) per practice/service.

Community Pharmacies

Community pharmacies are eligible to access surgical masks for the use of their staff when there is no available commercial supply and:

  • Staff are required to be in direct contact with patients/clients at less than 1.5 metres, and there may be community transmission of COVID-19 in their area
  • They have significant contact with people presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms (irrespective of level of community transmission of COVID-19).

Community pharmacies will generally be allocated one box (50 masks) in each delivery cycle.

Allied Health

Allied health professionals may be eligible to access surgical masks for the use of their staff when there is no available commercial supply and they are working in higher-risk clinical areas, and with higher risk vulnerable patients. When determining whether allocation of masks is appropriate PHNs will consider the extent to which alternative modes of service delivery are possible for each practitioner. Please also note advice regarding aerosol generating respiratory therapies here.

Allied health professionals will generally be allocated one box (50 masks) per practice.

To order surgical masks, click here.

P2/N95 masks are only available to general practices and ACCHS who need to assess suspected COVID-19 cases because they do not have a dedicated respiratory clinic, hospital fever clinic or Emergency Department nearby. 

P2 masks are only required for aerosol-generating procedures or where there is uncontrolled coughing and must be used with other appropriate PPE and isolation facilities.

If you believe your practice requires P2 masks, please complete this online form.

Gowns are only available to GP respiratory clinics, general practices, ACCHS, after-hours GP home visiting services, medical deputising services and nurse practitioner owned or led primary care practices with a demonstrated need including:

  • Where there is no local supply available commercially.
  • Where practices have a population which may be more likely to have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.
  • Where practices have an unusual number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.

Allocation of gowns per practice will be determined by the practice size and need, including the number of patients the practice is likely to assess and test.

The current guidelines for the distribution of gowns are available here.

If you believe your practice requires gowns, please request them via the online form.

Due to high demand, a number of businesses are sourcing or producing additional supplies of hand sanitiser. NCPHN is sharing the details of these businesses but does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability for, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any services provided by the businesses.

Hand Hygiene Australia recommends that alcohol solutions containing 60-80% alcohol are most effective. Information is available here.

Medical services in need are invited to contact:

Request Masks

Infection Control

Contact and droplet transmission precautions are recommended for patients who:

  • have isolated, or
  • with suspected or confirmed nCoV infection.

Visit the HealthPathways COVID-19 Assessment and Management link for recommended infection control measures.

Click here to enlarge image

You can also:

Medico-legal concerns

If you have medico-legal concerns speak to your insurer. The RACGP has a range of links to advice from insurers – see the section on Medico-legal concerns.

Patient triage example flowchart

This example flowchart has been developed following the Australian Government’s universal telehealth announcement. This resource will continue to be developed as the COVID-19 situation develops.

You can also download Prof. Trisha Greenhalgh BMJ article on assessing COVID-19 remotely.

Click to enlarge | download here

Models of Care

MBS item numbers and making the move to telehealth

From 20 July 2020, it will be a legislative requirement that GPs and Other Medical Practitioner (OMP) working in general practice can only perform a telehealth or telephone service where they have an existing relationship with the patient. There are limited exemptions to this requirement. Read more here.

Visit MBS Online for a full list of telehealth item numbers.

Enquiries on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, including using and interpreting items numbers, should be directed to: [email protected]

Resources and webinars

The move to telehealth is twofold – it means using new technologies and, importantly, developing new workflows for your patient consultations. Both are needed for success.

Here are some resources that could assist.

Webinars are also a way of working through the changes to your usual consulting practice.

Recorded 24 March 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Hosted by the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, chaired by Norman Swan.

Guests included:

  • Prof Trish Greenhalgh (UK)
  • Dr Amandeep Hansra (GP, NSW)

Click here to view the webinar.

Thursday 9 April, 6 pm- 7:30 pm

Hosted by the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, La Trobe University and Curtin University.

Australian GP Dr Amandeep Hansra and UK GP Dr David Triska, will share their experiences of implementing telehealth (phone, online and video consultations) and provide practical tips and advice based on their first-hand experiences

Click here to register.

healthdirect Video Call access now available

North Coast healthdirect Video Call is available for our health workforce to be able to use this purpose-built suite of services, tools and resources. Download healthdirect’s Video Call factsheet here.

COVID-19 MBS telehealth items are now available for GPs, specialists, consultant physicians, obstetricians, consultant psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, allied mental health workers and midwives.

Get started today!

We can create individual clinic accounts for Mid and North Coast general practices, AMSs, mental health care professionals and other primary care providers that wish to use video calls. This is part of our COVID-19 response, but can also be used for standard service video calls/consultations.

Our Digital Health Team will create your logins and support you to start using this great platform.

Get Started Here

Influenza Immunisation

Influenza immunisation has never been more important than in 2020.

This year’s flu vaccinations will take more planning to work around the limitations imposed by COVID-19.

To help, Carolyn Lloyd, Immunisation Coordinator at NNSWLHD, has recorded a 15-minute webinar on vaccinating during COVID-19. Her presentation is packed with useful tips and information to help you.

Carolyn herself is happy for you to contact her directly if you would like specific advice about vaccinating at your practice:

Dr Brett Lynam has kindly shared the approach he will use at his practice:

Download Dr Lynam’s flu vaccination policy and procedures due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Brett would like to point out that his clinic allows an ‘outside’ waiting room and they have sufficient nurses to run it as set out – this will not necessarily work everywhere. Thanks Brett, great to be able to learn from a colleague!

Click here for more assistance, resources and to follow our progress in a region-wide QI goal to maintain our level of influenza vaccination in 2020.

Vaccines are expected to be available from early April.

Mental health support - patients and health workers

Webinar for Mental Health and Allied Health Providers

In late March, Healthy North Coast held an information session for local mental health and allied health service providers.

Check out the video to gain information about:

  • The emerging COVID-19 situation within the North Coast region.
  • Measures that providers can undertake to minimise the risk of spreading infection while continuing to deliver services.
  • The likely impact (from a mental health perspective) of COVID-10 on our community, primary care and hospital services.
  • Suitable platforms for use when delivering services via telehealth.

There is much information available on how to best support your patients’ mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Click here for a comprehensive and up-to-date list of mental health and psychosocial considerations from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO).

The WHO information includes the importance of empathy towards those affected by COVID-19; ways to refer to people with the virus to reduce stigma; and suggestions on how to lessen people’s anxiety.

Other excellent material regarding mental health and the coronavirus can be found at the Life in Mind site. Life in Mind has collaborated with the National Mental Health Commission to produce a comprehensive list of resources to support those affected.

Some of these resources are listed below:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says feeling under pressure at the current time is normal. Stress and the feelings associated with it are not a reflection on you or your work.

Be aware that managing your mental health and psychosocial wellbeing during this time is as important as managing your physical health.

Click here for the WHO recommendations, which include:

  • Ensuring sufficient rest and respite during work and between shifts
  • Eating sufficient and healthy food
  • Engaging in physical activity
  • Staying in contact with family and friends
  • Using coping strategies that have worked for you in the past
  • Turning to your colleagues, your manager or other trusted persons for social support

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners recognises that GPs’ work is often challenging and stressful. Click here for self-care and mental health resources and services to support RACGP members.

GPs and support for older Australians

  • Get set up with telehealth and online scripts so you can keep delivering care to residential patients. Click here for more information on telehealth, including access to the healthdirect Video Call service. Don’t forget that:
    • You can team up with an onsite registered nurse or physiotherapist to support physical examinations.
    • Home care providers can support clients to teleconference.
  • Update advance care directives with patients and their families. Consider how COVID-19 changes the end of life directives for the resident and risks for the family visiting. More information is available from the HealthPathways [Username: manchealth  Password: conn3ct3d]
  • Engage with residential care facility management and become familiar with their infection prevention and control practices and outbreak management.
  • Consider regular ear wax checks now that audiology services are limited or do not have access to facilities.
  • Refresh your knowledge of end-stage palliative respiratory symptom management. More information is available from HealthPathways [Username: manchealth  Password: conn3ct3d]
  • Older people at home can be very lonely. It is important for older people to maintain contact with their community aged care providers and not refuse services. The aged care sector is working differently to meet the safety requirements of COVID-19, e.g. a house cleaning visit may become a gardening visit and chat while maintaining physical distancing. Welfare checks are occurring regularly through a range of approaches, including waving at the front gate.
  • TESTING – know which pathology services are providing mobile testing into RACFs and into private homes. The mobile services are targeting vulnerable people, not the general population. You will have one in your area!
  • Update advance care directives with patients and their families. Consider how COVID-19 changes the end of life directives for the resident, the risks for the family visiting and the risks of abnormal bereavement, particularly in light of recent changes to funerals (viewing the body, public gatherings, etc). Click here to learn more here. Additional information on advance care directives is available here.
    • Advance Care Planning Australia webinars are available here.
  • Oxygen – encourage older people at home to order earlier than normal, supplies are tight.
  • Know when staff go to work in the aged care sector. Click here to learn more.
    • They need to receive their flu vaccinations by 1 May with a certificate or evidence that they have had it.

If you work predominately in RACFs:

  • Keep up to date through the cross sector aged care Basecamps. Check the ‘Looking for more information’ section below to be added to the network email list.
  • Support the staff to understand that testing without symptoms gives a false reading. This is often requested when the hospitals transfer residents back.
  • Support the staff to understand the significance of staff flu vaccinations. If we had a vaccine for COVID-19, would you have it?
  • If you need support with infection protection and control practices with older people, check the ‘Looking for more information’ section below.

Detailed information on COVID-19 for the health and aged care sector is available from the Department of Health website.

Sector support and updates:

  • Extensive funding packages are available to subsidise RACFs with outbreaks, provide staff incentives during the pandemic, etc.
  • The changes to the assessment process to enter aged care services have been placed on hold.
  • For daily newsletter updates to the industry, subscribe here.
  • The  Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety activities have been placed on hold, submissions are still be accepted with constant changing deadline.
  • PPE supplies for all aged care providers are now through the one email address ensuring equal access. Limited supplies are starting to be delivered.
  • NSW Ministry of Health will be including a respiratory status section in all discharge letters from hospitals.

Residential aged care facilities:

  • Facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases will be able to access personal protective equipment from the national stockpile.
  • The Communicable Diseases Network Australia Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidelines for Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities is available here.
  • Some pathology services are establishing mobile services to cover nursing homes. LHDs are considering how to support this if pathology is not available.
  • Implementing visiting guidelines to no more than two visitors per day.
  • All staff and visitors must carry evidence of flu vaccines by 1 May to enter homes.
  • Fly-in fly-out teams are being coordinated by NSW Ministry of Health, should any RACF experience staffing issues during a COVID-19 outbreak.

Community aged care services:

  • People aged 65 years and older with confirmed COVID-19 can access urgent or immediate Commonwealth Home Support Programme services for six weeks without assessment through My Aged Care.
  • Commonwealth Home Support Programme services that are group social / transport activities have been encouraged to look at alternate models and funding has been made more flexible to support this.
  • Community providers are routinely screening clients before a visit. For all people living in community with COVID-19 a home isolation kit is sent through the LHD Public Health Unit and includes masks, hand hygiene products and directions on how to look after themselves and their families.
  • Extensive planning and preparations are underway in community aged care services. Group respite programs are cancelled and are starting to do 1:1 visits to people’s homes. Personal protective equipment is limited, particularly Commonwealth Home Support Programme services such as transport, new approaches to service are being considered.
  • The COVID-19 guide for home care providers in home care is now available.
  • Additional funding is available to providers to extend home care packages during COVID-19.
  • Older people with no services who require support with shopping, hygiene and meals can access Commonwealth Home Support Programs during COVID-19 without an assessment. Access through My Aged Care or direct to local services.

Key resources:

North Coast PHN is working collaboratively with the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW LHDs, residential aged care facilities and community aged care providers to ensure a coordinated response to COVID-19. Regular virtual region-wide meetings are being held and an online resource library has been created on Basecamp to support collaboration and networking across services.

NCPHN has supported both LHDs RACF planning activities through undertaking extensive planning surveys. Of note are the small number of RACFs with only RN on call coverage over night and limited GP coverage in some facilities. Other activities include supporting services that are requiring support with infection prevention and control practices. Modelling of pathways for older people during COVID-19 is in its early stages and will result in broad collaboration with LHDs and the aged care sector to provide clarity of local supports for older people during COVID-19.

Extensive planning and preparations are underway in facilities. Visitor changes with no more than two visitors at once are being enacted with many facilities stepping this up to a semi lockdown approach with only health professionals able to enter facilities. Consideration is being provided for families of residents who are terminal and/or palliative.

Families are being encouraged to communicate through telehealth and ‘window visits’ are being set up. Welfare roles have been established in some facilities to focus on maintaining family connections.

Extensive planning and preparations are underway in community aged care services. Group respite programs are cancelled and are starting to do one on one visits to people’s homes. Personal protective equipment is limited, particularly Commonwealth Home Support Programme services such as transport, new approaches to service are being considered.

Some community services are struggling to provide their standard services. Reasons are diverse, including supplies of PPE. Of note are transport services and smaller programs whose infection prevention and control understanding may need support. A toolbox of resources is currently being sourced by NCPHN to assist these programs. Transport meetings are being negotiated in NNSW with social sector support services.

Extensive planning and preparations are underway in the local health districts including a range of activities to support residential aged care facilities to keep residents at home. See ‘Secondary triage system for residential aged care‘ below.

MNCLHD has developed a listing of services and providers offering support and shopping for older people. A similar list is being built in NNSW by Social Futures. Links will be published as they become available.

Palliative Care – both LHD’s services are keen to support GPs with any complex cases during this time, in particular end stage respiratory distress with COVID-19. MNCLHD is setting up a palliative care hotline – more as this becomes available.

The NSW Ministry of Health has enacted a statewide secondary triage system of residents in nursing homes.

All non-urgent flu and COVID-19 related calls from residential aged care facilities to NSW Ambulance will now be secondarily triaged by a remote accredited emergency physician consultation service.

All clinically appropriate patients will be diverted to community-based models of care, keeping in line with public health recommendations.

Local health districts are responding to support the triage system.

  • NNSWLHD has developed a nurse practitioner led in-reach program of support for RACFs. It is now accepting referrals and providing advice and support to RACFs. Click here to download a fact sheet. Learn more via HealthPathways [Username: manchealth  Password: conn3ct3d].
  • MNCLHD is currently communicating the outreach pathways through COVID-19 cross sector channels to: nurse practitioners, palliative care services, community nursing services and psychogeriatric services.
  • NCPHN has provided extensive support to building these systems by updating existing RACF listings and building a profile of homes and after hours key contacts, linking the LHDs together through extensive COVID-19 communication strategies and sector knowledge. Strong, collaborative, integrated ways of working are being built.

Dementia Australia has added a range of COVID-19 fact sheets with tips for people living with dementia.

The fact sheets are available now and include:

  • Tips for people living with dementia – outlines the coronavirus/COVID-19 symptoms, hygiene tips, the importance of having a good support network, ideas to remain active and engaged while in self-isolation, and where to go for help.
  • Tips for carers, families and friends of people living with dementia – outlines the coronavirus/COVID-19 symptoms, hygiene tips, helpful tips for primary carers, as well as for family, friends or neighbours, ideas for remaining active and engaged while in self-isolation, and where to go for help.
  • Tips for residential care providers – outlines the impacts coronavirus/COVID-19 may have on residents, tips on alternative activities and how to support continued engagement with families and carers.
  • Tips for home care providers – outlines the impacts coronavirus/COVID-19 may have on a person living with dementia, tips to reduce heightened anxiety and where to go for help.

Click here to learn more.

Contact Bron McCrae, Deputy Director Healthy Living and Ageing, North Coast Primary Health Network at [email protected] or phone 0447 113 823.

Aboriginal community resources

Healthy North Coast is committed to ensuring regional leadership and response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This COVID-19 Response Framework for Aboriginal Communities on the North Coast has been developed to provide guidance to health care providers to best support Aboriginal communities during this time.

Due to the risk COVID-19 poses for Aboriginal communities, our Aboriginal Health Team has developed a coordinated approach in collaboration with Aboriginal Medical Services to reduce the impact of COVID-19 within Aboriginal communities.

The purpose of this framework is to increase preparedness and awareness around COVID-19 in Aboriginal communities on the North Coast; and to respond effectively and in a timely way when an Aboriginal person tests positive with COVID-19.

Click here to download the Kit (8mb)

Our Aboriginal Health Team is working closely with the community and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health (ACCH) sector to ensure we are providing support in a way that is driven by community need.

Check out these great videos with messages for our mob. You can share this on Facebook or download the MP4 file.

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We have also developed this great community focussed resource with more to come in the near future.

We understand the disappointment surrounding the cancellation of celebrations such as NAIDOC week and urge our mob to look after each other and continue to be resilient and proud of being part of the oldest living culture in the world!

Click to download
Wellbeing Yarning Line

Feeling stressed or worried? Not coping so well at the moment?
The Mid North Coast Local Health District offers a Wellbeing Yarning Line. Call and have a yarn with Aboriginal mental health and
drug and alcohol staff.

Phone: 0408 985 916

Please note: this line is available from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm weekdays and is not for emergencies.

More Information

Nationally, the dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group for COVID-19 is currently developing information for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health services and community members. We will be updating this section of our web page in line with these developments.

The four National Aboriginal Workforce Peaks, Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA), Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association (NATSIWHA) met on Thursday to discuss development of a co-designed, cobranded resource for our combined membership.

This resource will include information on social and emotional wellbeing support and will be made available on this page when available.

More information can also be found here:

Local resources

Videos

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Signage

DoH Factsheets

Sample

Primary Care
Respiratory Clinics

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Primary Care
Home Medicines Services

Sample

Primary Care
Fast Track Electronic Prescribing

Sample

Primary Care
MBS Telehealth Services

See Full Library

Healthy North Coast acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands across our region and pays respect to the Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First Peoples and honour the rich diversity of the world’s oldest living culture.

Healthy North Coast is an independent, not-for-profit organisation proudly delivering the PHN program in North Coast NSW. We are committed to improving the health of our communities through quality primary health care.
The PHN program is an Australian Government Initiative.
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