Aged care staff vaccinations
Healthy North Coast is working closely with the Australian Government-funded provider International SOS to coordinate vaccination hubs for aged care staff. The vaccinations commence next week and will be moving up the coast through centrally located hubs in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Casino, Ballina and Tweed. All first dose clinics will be completed
New evidence about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness
A recent study of UK data showed that both Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines maintain high levels of effectiveness against the Delta variant after two doses. ‘This is good news for primary care, as we can be confident in advising patients of the benefits they will receive from the vaccines,’ says HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr
Dealing with pandemic fatigue? Support is available
As COVID-19 and its effects continue to impact our communities, it’s important to remember that support is available for those experiencing ‘pandemic fatigue’. We’ve been dealing with this pandemic for the past 18 months and although we are familiar with lockdowns and changing restrictions, these changes can cause disruptions to our lives, our work and
COVID-19 vaccination rates growing in the North Coast
Nearly 195,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given across the North Coast since the national vaccination program commenced. The North Coast is on par with state and national averages and it’s great to see vaccination rates have increased over the past week. The Australian Government’s most recent geographic vaccination rates show more than 45% of
Primary Care Impact’s COVID-19 topic pages record more than 4,000 hits
Healthy North Coast’s Primary Care Impact platform is our central library of quality improvement topics and projects for local practices to enhance their quality improvement initiatives and navigate resources. It is noticeably clear just how hard practices have been working, with Primary Care Impact’s COVID-19 pages receiving strong engagement. In 2021 alone, our 12 COVID-19 quality
GPs needed at Murwillumbah Respiratory Clinic
Due to increased demand for testing and vaccination services, Murwillumbah Respiratory Clinic is seeking expressions of interest for GPs to undertake casual shifts. The clinic provides an essential service supporting our community by assessing and testing people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19. The clinic also delivers COVID-19 vaccinations.
At risk children aged 12 to 15 eligible for Pfizer vaccine
Late last month, the TGA approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in people aged 12 to 15 years. The Australian Government has announced that from 9 August 2021, specific groups of adolescents aged 12 to 15 years who have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Eligibility criteria has
Mandatory QR code check-in at health facilities
As we reported previously, all businesses and workplaces are now required to have a NSW Government QR code for staff and visitors to check in via the Service NSW app. Service NSW has now published an exception for patients entering health and medical facilities (other than pharmacies). Staff and other visitors still need to check
COVID-19 vaccination update
Community pharmacies to join COVID-19 vaccination rollout The Australian Government has announced that from 26 July 2021 onward, more than 3,900 community pharmacies who expressed interest in joining the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and who have previously been found suitable, will be invited to participate in the COVID-19 vaccination program. Participating community pharmacies will administer AstraZeneca
Updated COVID-19 Patient Triage Flowchart
Due to the ever-changing nature and recent threat of COVID-19 in our region, we have updated our Patient Triage Flowchart to support general practice staff in their screening process. The updated flowchart and additional COVID-19 information and resources are available via our COVID-19 Health Professionals webpage. Healthy North Coast understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult
COVID-19 in our community
There are currently 2 COVID-19 case locations on the NSW North Coast – one in Chinderah and one in Coffs Harbour. As case locations are regularly updated, check the NSW Health website for new locations. The Chinderah alert is for the Ampol service station just off the northbound M1 from 8:30 pm Tuesday 13 July
North Coast COVID-19 update
With confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Chinderah and a confirmed case from today’s Sydney numbers reportedly having visited venues on the Mid North Coast last week, North Coast clinicians are encouraged to visit the NSW Health website. NSW Health is currently undertaking urgent case investigations and further information will be provided as soon as it is available. Where venues
