Healthy North Coast understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for our community, and can cause increased stress and anxiety in general practice.
At times, community demand for a COVID-19 vaccine has been higher than the current supply.
Mid North Coast and Northern NSW residents are being asked to be patient as vaccine supplies continue to be delivered to our region. Community members are being reminded that it may be hard to get a Pfizer appointment until early to mid-August, however supply and access will increase over the coming months. This has caused frustration for everyone involved, leaving health professionals to manage a range of reactions from their patients, including defensiveness, anger and fear.
Our Primary Care Impact activity ‘Increase capacity of frontline staff to manage anxious or demanding patients during the COVID-19 and influenza vaccination rollouts’ can assist your team to maintain strong communication skills and staff wellbeing during challenging times.
The Primary Care Impact page includes information and resources that are applicable at any time when supporting anxious and demanding patients, but never more so than during this difficult time.
To date, 35 general practices have implemented this QI activity, many with free in-house facilitation by MediCoach. You can access a free in-house MediCoach workshop tailored to your practice needs. For more information or further assistance, contact your Primary Health Coordinator or Aboriginal Health Coordinator.
Wellbeing resources
For more information and resources on supporting clinician mental wellbeing, visit:
- HealthPathways: Medical Practitioner Mental Wellbeing
- Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d
- Username: manchealth
- Mental health support – patients and health workers (Healthy North Coast)
- Mental health and wellbeing support for employees during the COVID-19 pandemic (Australian Government)
- Looking after your mental health during COVID-19 pandemic (Australian Government)