Management of Mild COVID-19 Illness in General Practice
When looking at the impact of widespread COVID-19 community transmission in Victoria, it is clear that continuity of primary care is crucial to support an effective outbreak response. Most people with COVID-19 are likely to experience mild symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment or hospitalisation. In Victoria, when the hospital system reached near capacity, general practitioners
GPs Working in RACFs: Are You Ready for an Outbreak of COVID-19?
For the past month, Healthy North Coast has run regular news stories to ensure GPs are ready for a COVID-19 outbreak in a residential aged care facility (RACF). We have put together the COVID-19 RACF GP Framework to guide how GPs will cover facilities in an outbreak. The framework outlines the key roles of the
Queensland Border Zone Expansion
The Queensland Government has announced that the Queensland border zone will expand from 1am on Thursday 1 October. The zone will now include the Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes local government areas. The easing of restrictions has been welcomed by health practitioners and community members in our region. Residents living within the
RACF COVID-19 Outbreak – What Will It Be Like for RACF GPs?
As Healthy North Coast rolls out the COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) Outbreak GP Framework, we are being asked, “What will an outbreak be like? ” If your RACF and GP team are ready — i.e. you have implemented the framework — the outbreak will look like this in the first few hours: A resident
COVID-19 RACF Outbreak GP Framework – Are You a Team Leader?
The implementation of the COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facility Outbreak GP Framework continues at a pace. Healthy North Coast is hearing from the RACF managers that GP Team Leaders are starting to come forward. Could this be a role for you? It is a remote role only and focuses on being a conduit with the
Online GP Support Group – RACF COVID-19 Response
Dr Michael Murray is the lead geriatrician at Austin Health and is currently working with the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre. He has started a Zoom support group for GPs working in geriatric care, with a particular focus on caring for residents in aged care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video meetings held to
Do You Have Patients in an Aged Care Facility?
A checklist for GPs with patients in aged care facilities has been developed by North Western Melbourne PHN, based on the Victorian experience. Click here to download the checklist. The checklist draws upon stakeholder experience and expertise. It includes input from Professor Michael Murray, the head of the Australian Government’s Victorian Aged Care Response Centre,
New COVID-19 Support Service for Travel Into Queensland
The Queensland Government has established a specialist COVID-19 Health Care Support Service to complement the existing exemption process for travellers entering Queensland. This new unit will ensure support for people who are travelling to Queensland to access health care or have specific health care needs while undertaking quarantine. Enhancing the existing infrastructure, the 134 COVID
COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facility Outbreak GP Framework Update
In case you missed it last week, Healthy North Coast has launched the COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) Outbreak GP Framework to support GP coverage in residential aged care facilities. Click images to download documents Fact Sheet Guidelines Management Kit Over 50 per cent of RACF managers across the region have attended a training
COVID-19 Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service
The COVID-19 Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service has been extended beyond its six-week trial period. It will operate until 17 November 2020. Some people with disability may need support to ensure they receive COVID-19 testing or treatment with minimum distress. Health professionals involved in the care of people with disability diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing
Launch of the COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facility Outbreak GP Framework
COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities in Sydney and Victoria have demonstrated the critical role general practice plays in mitigating the impact of a COVID-19 outbreak for residents. For this reason, Healthy North Coast has launched the COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facility Outbreak GP Framework to support GP coverage in residential aged care facilities.
Update on Queensland Border Restrictions
The Queensland Government has released updated guidance on border restrictions effective 20 August. The revised guidelines clarify the requirements for community members and health care practitioners entering and returning to Queensland. Essential health care NSW residents can enter Queensland without an exemption to obtain essential health care if the health care cannot be provided in
