COVID-19 Guidance for Community Pharmacies

NSW Health has updated their guidance for community pharmacies on COVID-19, including prevention of infection. Pharmacies should display signage to encourage patients with symptoms to seek COVID-19 testing by: Calling their GP Calling 1800 022 222 (healthdirect) Visiting a COVID-19 clinic Displaying information about testing near cold and flu products is also encouraged. A poster

COVID-19 Assessment and Management in Residential Aged Care

The new COVID-19 Assessment and Management in Residential Aged Care HealthPathway is for general practitioners and specialists assessing and managing patients in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). There is a handy link at the beginning of this pathway to the COVID-19 Information and  COVID-19 Initial Assessment and Management HealthPathways. The ‘Background‘ section provides a brief

NSW Health Escalates COVID-19 Risk Rating

NSW Health has today escalated the risk rating for COVID-19 to a moderate risk level (amber). This requires all NSW Health employees to wear a surgical mask if they are within 1.5m of patients. Patients are also required to wear a mask where possible. This directive applies to hospital and community health settings and is

Viral Hepatitis and COVID-19

Hepatitis NSW has developed a series of general information pages and detailed fact sheets relating to viral hepatitis and COVID-19. These will be updated regularly as further information about COVID-19 comes to hand. COVID-19 and hepatitis C Detailed hepatitis C information COVID-19 and hepatitis B Detailed hepatitis B information Hepatitis NSW offers a variety of

One New Case of COVID-19 in Northern NSW

Source: NNSWLHD media releasePublished: 16 July, 2020 One case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the last 24 hours in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD). This brings the total cases to 56, as at 8pm Wednesday, 15 July. The new case is a person who travelled to Northern NSW from Melbourne, arriving at Ballina

Australian Government Announces Stage Seven of Telehealth Reforms

Source: Department of Health media release Published: 10 July, 2020 In a major boost for primary health care, the Australian Government is further strengthening telehealth arrangements as recommended by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and other medical experts. Under stage seven of telehealth reforms announced today,

COVID-19 Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service Launch

The Department of Health has established a COVID-19 advisory service to assist health workers caring for people with disabilities. Some people with disability may need support to ensure they receive COVID-19 testing or treatment with minimum distress. Calls to the advisory service will be answered by health professionals with disability service qualifications and experience working

COVID-19 Resources for Patients

NSW Health has developed a range of COVID-19 fact sheets and brochures for patients. The resources include consumer-friendly advice on: What to do if you have just been tested for COVID-19 How to self-isolate Coping with COVID-19 if you are elderly We know that people in the community appreciate sound guidance on COVID-19, so please

Testing Times – GP Respiratory Clinic Update

GP respiratory clinics continue to support our community by providing assessment, testing and diagnosis for people with mild-to-moderate respiratory symptoms. Our North Coast clinics have seen almost 5,000 patients since April, with numbers continuing to grow across the region. Casino Respiratory Clinic Now Open Casino GP Respiratory Clinic is now open to support community members

COVID-19 NSW Quarantine Exemptions

NSW Health has released updated quarantine information: Quarantine Exemptions Frequently Asked Questions NSW Home Isolation Guidelines (PDF) NSW Government Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order Exemption Form (PDF) Local health district contact list for hospital visitations (PDF) To provide feedback or gain information about the quarantine exemptions process, email: MOH-JasminCovid19Ops@health.nsw.gov.au To follow up about

Primary Care Impact Update

Nurse Led Cervical Cancer Screening Service Danielle Midgley, Practice Nurse at Tweed Coast Medical, has successfully implemented a nurse-led cervical cancer screening service. She has kindly shared her PDSA with you. We have added a new QI topic to the list in Primary Care Impact: Increase cervical cancer screening through a nurse-led screening service This

Why General Practices Need Nurses More Than Ever

From infection control to flu clinics, nurses are an important part of the general practice team. A new guide explains how general practices can make the most of the nurse role during COVID-19. It also shows how nurses attract revenue streams that will sustain practices today and into the future. The guide has been endorsed