Update on Cancer Screening Programs
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting each cancer screening program differently. National Cervical Screening Program The National Cervical Screening Program is encouraging health care providers to continue routine screening and follow up. Overarching guidance to assist with clinician decision-making on screening appointments including deferral and rescheduling, depending on individual patient circumstances. Guidance for the management of
GP Respiratory Clinic Open in Murwillumbah
The Murwillumbah General Practice Respiratory Clinic is now open to support the North Coast COVID-19 response.
Media Release: Don’t Drop Regular GP Appointments
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
Secondary Triage System for RACFs
A reminder that the Ministry of Health has put in place a secondary triage system to support older people living in residential aged care facilities to remain ‘at home’ wherever possible during the pandemic. This is being supported through different models implemented by the local health districts. More information is available on our COVID-19 page.
Expanded Testing Criteria in Lismore
The Lismore Base Hospital COVID-19 Fever Clinic testing criteria has been widened to include all respiratory symptomatic patients. The reasoning is to ascertain if there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases due to Easter.
Public Health Alert
Please note: Port Macquarie has now been removed as an area for increased testing and surveillance.
Response Framework for Aboriginal Communities on the North Coast
The COVID-19 Response Framework for Aboriginal Communities on the North Coast provides guidance to health care providers to best support Aboriginal communities.
Mental Health Support During COVID-19
People needing mental health support can now receive counselling by phone or ‘telepsychology’. Telepsychology sessions use a smartphone, tablet or computer. Temporary MBS item numbers for these telehealth services are available until 30 September 2020. Telehealth reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission and protects patients and health care providers. The item numbers are general and
Update on Telehealth Bulk Billing
Telehealth services must be bulk billed for Commonwealth concession card holders, children under 16 years old and patients who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Free NBN Upgrade for GP Clinics
In response to the COVID-19 situation, NBN Co is upgrading Australian GP clinics to 50 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload connections at no extra cost for a period of six months. This should enable clinics to deliver multiple telehealth consultations simultaneously. To access the upgrade, contact your internet provider. Click here to read the
Update on Point of Care Testing
Further to previous advice on point of care testing for COVID-19, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd has advised that “while research is being done to validate the performance of serology tests and to provide clear guidance on interpretation of results and use, we advise against the general use of these tests in primary
Media Release: A Positive Experience With Telehealth
The new world of telehealth is proving a positive experience for medical clinics and their patients, according to Northside Health Clinic in Coffs Harbour. Phone and video appointments enable patients to follow social distancing guidelines while still receiving quality health care, said Karen Jackson, practice manager. “The patient feedback so far has been universally positive,”
