Changed criteria for COVID-positive referrals to MNCLHD
The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) has introduced a referral form for ‘COVID Care in the Community’. GPs must complete the new form before referring COVID-19-positive patients to the COVID Care in the Community pathway, which is an outpatient service. Included on the referral form is a range of eligibility criteria that patients
COVID-19 update from the NSW Chief Health Officer
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has written a letter to all GPs outlining several important changes to the management of COVID-19. Some key points are copied below. Changes to the self-isolation period for people with COVID-19 Patients with COVID-19 can leave isolation if at least 7 days (previously 10 days) have passed since
Healthy North Coast providing logistical support for RATs
Healthy North Coast is working with the Australian and NSW governments to help connect health care providers to rapid antigen tests (RATs). The swift spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has left RATs in short supply across the country. Healthy North Coast is supporting vulnerable and priority populations to obtain the tests. At this stage,
Recording available for RACGP COVID-19 update webinar
RACGP NSW held a COVID-19 update webinar for GPs on 10 Jan 2022. The webinar discussed: the latest news about the Omicron variant the management of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 in the community the care of children exposed to COVID-19 in the community how HealthPathways can support GPs in NSW to care for COVID-19
Pandemic Kindness Movement
The Pandemic Kindness Movement is a peer support initiative by Australian clinicians wanting to support the health and wellbeing of other clinicians. The website offers links and resources to support various aspects of COVID fatigue and isolation, including information on: leaderships skills stress first aid developing a physician buddy system managing your own fear of
Managing general practice staff exposure to COVID-19
The rapid transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant is affecting many businesses due to illness or isolation requirements. Local general practices have raised questions about staff exposure to COVID and returning to work. Healthy North Coast has compiled the following guidance. Managing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in general practice Primary Care Impact offers
COVID-19 update webinar
RACGP NSW is holding a COVID-19 update webinar for GPs on Monday 10 Jan 2022 at 7 pm. The webinar will discuss: the latest news about the Omicron variant the management of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 in the community with reference to the health care workers risk matrix the care of children exposed to
Rapid antigen tests
Over the next three months, up to 10 rapid antigen tests (a maximum of 5 in a month) will be made available free through pharmacies to people holding the following cards: Pension Concession Card Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange Card Health Care Card Low Income Health Card
Offering telehealth options to patients
Telehealth services for patients are the preferred option for GPs who cannot attend their workplace or when a practice is closed due to COVID impacts. Move to patient care via videoconference during high levels of community transmission Primary Care Impact offers a quality improvement activity on moving to patient care via videoconference. This activity encourages
COVID-19 booster interval reduced
Millions of Australians are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose. The Australian Government has reduced the interval between second dose and booster. From 4 January 2022, people only need to wait four months after their second dose for a booster. This will reduce again on 31 January, to three months. The booster dose helps
NSW Chief Health Officer notifies of changes to low-risk COVID-19 criteria
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has written to all GPs notifying of changes to the COVID-19 low-risk case criteria. From 28 December 2021, the maximum age for low-risk cases to self-care at home has been amended to <65 years (previously <50 years). Read the full text of Dr Chant’s letter (PDF, 156KB).
GP management of COVID-19 – new HealthPathways to support patient care
Emily is a 24-year-old student with no pre-existing medical conditions, who you saw last week for an initial antenatal visit. She now presents for a telehealth appointment for the results of initial investigations. During the consultation, Emily reveals that she has just received a positive result from a COVID-19 test after finding out she was
