13
May
2020
From Thursday 14 May, people living in and around Wauchope will be able to be tested for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses at a local free clinic.
North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) is pleased to support the opening of the GP-led Wauchope Respiratory Clinic as part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
NCPHN’s CEO Julie Sturgess said the clinic is one of up to 100 the Australian Government is setting up across Australia. She said it would play a vital role in supporting patients in Wauchope and surrounding areas throughout the pandemic.
The clinic will assess people with respiratory symptoms and, where appropriate, undertake testing to diagnose respiratory cases, including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia. Test results should be available within 48 hours. Patients will be called with their results, which will also be sent to their regular GP if that information has been provided.
“The clinic will provide the opportunity for people to undergo assessment and testing in a safe environment, close to home and will protect our most vulnerable community members,” Ms Sturgess said.
“Importantly, it will support local health care services – taking the pressure off hospitals and general practices by providing dedicated treatment to people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of fever or sore throat, cough, fatigue or shortness of breath.
“I encourage anyone in our community experiencing these symptoms to book an appointment.”
Wauchope Quality Healthcare is running the Wauchope Respiratory Clinic. Practice manager Cathy Whitton said people would be asked to wear a surgical mask to their appointment. Anyone without a mask should telephone the clinic on 0487 071 713 before entering and one will be provided.
Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said the Wauchope clinic would help take the pressure off local hospitals and general practices by providing dedicated treatment to people with mild-to-moderate respiratory symptoms and help to minimise the risk of infection in the community.
“With our success in flattening the curve and the introduction of these clinics and the ability to trace with the COVIDSafe app, we can now start the process of lifting restrictions,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This means in NSW from Friday we can start getting out to the shops, undertaking some local trips and travel, visiting playgrounds and public parks, and having friends and family around with a bit more freedom.”
People should visit HotDoc and use the online booking system to make an appointment. Appointments can also be made by phoning 0487 071 713. Wauchope Respiratory Clinic is open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5:30 pm.
“NCPHN is one of 31 PHNs located throughout Australia that are working with local health districts to advise the Commonwealth Department of Health on the best locations for the clinics right across the country,” Ms Sturgess said.
“I am very pleased and proud of the fact NCPHN and local health practitioners have worked collaboratively with the Federal Government to deliver this essential service.”
The Australian Government is establishing respiratory clinics at six key North Coast locations – Murwillumbah, Ballina, Yamba, Nambucca Heads, Kempsey and Wauchope. The majority of clinics will operate out of existing medical practices. They will complement NSW Health’s existing COVID-19 / fever clinics at Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.
NCPHN worked with the Northern NSW and Mid North Coast Local Health Districts to identify locations that provide optimal access to testing services for the maximum number of community members. The analysis considered population data, travel times and projected health service demand.
Healthy North Coast Helping Our Communities to Connect
COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic Opens in Kempsey
Contact for media enquiries
Mike Hely, Content Marketing & PR Coordinator (MNC)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (02) 6659 1805
Healthy North Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across our region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and on their journey. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to the land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Land’s First Peoples and honour the rich diversity of the oldest living cultures.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we live and work, the Bundjalung, Arakwal, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, Githabul, Dunghutti and Birpai Nations, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and future.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
North Coast is identified as the region most likely to be impacted by climate change in Australia and also forecasted greatest growth in those 65+.
Healthy North Coast takes a lead role in ensuring the older population and the sector that supports them are prepared for, can respond to and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
We have led eight regional disaster management capacity building workshops, bringing together SES, community organisations and the aged care sector.
We have also developed disaster preparedness tip sheets for both residential and community aged care providers.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
In May 2022, the NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. Effective from Tuesday, 28 November 2023, eligible people have the choice to access voluntary assisted dying.
Healthy North Coast has developed a webpage for both health professionals and consumers, with links to available information and resources.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
Healthy North Coast has worked with people living with dementia, their families and local service providers to develop an information booklet that will help them connect with local and national supports along their journey.
Highly regarded by a range of professional supporting those on or starting the dementia journey, the booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.
“It’s a fantastic resource and I give it to everyone on their first diagnosis. Its easy to read, so well planned and thought through and has lots of really useful information, tailored to the region.
I also find it very helpful when educating clinical staff.”
−Geropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Mid North Coast.
The resource is available in digital and printed copies, with more than 5,000 distributed across the region. An e-version is available to clinicians via the Dementia and Cognitive Impairment HealthPathway.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
The Deteriorating Resident Response Tool (DRRT) has been developed to guide RN’s in Residential Aged Care homes (RACHs) to better understand, anticipate and make clinical decisions responding to the deteriorating health of residents.
The objective of the DRRT is to give RACH staff clear information to triage and provide appropriate care for a range of residents’ health conditions, and, in turn, prevent unnecessary presentations to ED.
The tool has been designed together with a specialist geriatrician, consulting with stakeholders such as Residential Aged Care Managers, NSW Ambulance, GPs, and experts from Mid and North Coast LHDs.
The pilot commences in March with four participating RACHs. Evaluation measures will include effectiveness in building RN confidence and reported reduction in unnecessary hospitalisations. Findings will inform a future planned, region-wide implementation.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
The Care Finders program is a free region-wide service to support vulnerable older people who have no-one else to help them, to learn about, apply for and set up support services.
Care finders can help people understand what aged care services are available, set up an assessment, and find and choose services. They also help people with access to other supports in the community, both accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.
On the North Coast, Healthy North Coast has commissioned four organisations to provide this important service: EACH, Carexcell, Lifetime Connect and Footprints.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Healthy North Coast commissions two service providers to deliver psychological therapies and supports for older people with, or at risk of developing, a mental illness and who are living in residential aged care homes (RACHs).
The aim of the program is to both provide direct support to residents and their families and carers, as well as upskill the RACH workforce to respond to the needs of residents presenting with mental health concerns.
Strategic Priority Area: Securing a Healthier Future
Delivered by Feros Care, the Healthy Me, Healthy Community program aims to build individual and community connections to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing in Port Macquarie.
The program helps people to connect with community, activities, supports and services that address their broader social determinants of health, as an alternative or supplement to a clinical approach.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified several critical areas affecting aged care residents and our health system. Key challenges include:
Telehealth offers valuable opportunities to enhance support for residents living in aged care homes. Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, this initiative provides telehealth equipment and staff training as part of the response to the Royal Commission’s findings.
By improving access to primary care clinicians, specialist services, and other service providers through telehealth, we can significantly enhance health outcomes for residents, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and emergency department visits.
The selection of telehealth equipment was guided by our Healthy Ageing Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive digital discovery questionnaire, and consultation workshops with various stakeholders. These efforts included interviews with residents to understand their attitudes toward telehealth, ensuring the initiative meets their needs and preferences.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Aims to provide people who have life limiting conditions the opportunity to exercise choice and receive high quality care at home, harnessing improved and better coordinated supports and services that meet their individual needs.
Program objectives:
These objectives will contribute to achieving the following intended overarching outcomes of:
Funding is open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.
Workforce Locum support and R&R funding criteria
Wellbeing Flexible Funding Criteria & Eligibility
| *Team Size (Total staff and contractors) | Funding Available |
| Small (1-5) | $500-$1500 |
| Medium (6-20) | $1500-$4000 |
| Large (>20) | $4000-$5000 |
