COVID-19 Updates
Keep up to the date with our COVID-19 updates for our practices
COVID-19 safety policy
Our practice is dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of all team members, patients, contractors, and visitors. In this pandemic environment, to control the flow of people into and through the practice, we will:
- encourage telehealth consultations
- check the temperature of each person presenting to the clinic. If the temperature registers >37.5°C the person will be asked to remain outside of the clinic until further assessment can be conducted
- have a management plan in place for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 which enables immediate isolation of that patient, as well as the requirement that the patient don of a surgical face mask to reduce risk of transmission.
- define foot traffic through the practice using floor markings and signage
- display information at the entrance and ensure clear messaging on the website asking patients to call ahead if they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 to enable appropriate triage
- display information at the entrance outlining the requirements of entry, i.e. wearing a mask, have an appointment, be free from symptoms consistent with COVID-19
- require all people entering the practice to don a face mask [patients are asked to bring their own, but will be supplied with one if they present without a mask]
- provide access to hand-hygiene products upon entry and exit (and at appropriate locations throughout the practice), such as an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or hand-washing
Vaccines
We offer both ASTRA ZENECA AND PFIZER VACCINE AT QUEEN STREET.
These are strictly by appointment only.
Important Information
Physical distancing
While acknowledging the nature of medical care means maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 m with a patient is not always possible, our practice will put in place physical distancing measure by:
- taping a line on the floor 1.5 m from all people’s chair/desk as a physical indicator
- minimising patient congestion in the waiting room by
- limiting the number of people on the premises at any one time
- having patients wait in their cars or outside until the GP or nurse is ready
- spacing furniture in the waiting room
- encouraging patients to call ahead to book an appointment rather than walk in.
- dispose of all used PPE in accordance with standard precautions.
Environmental management and cleaning
Our practice will regularly clean and disinfect shared spaces, surfaces, and communal items. Our practice will:
- enhance air flow by opening windows and doors in shared spaces (where and when appropriate) and optimizing fresh air flow in air conditioning systems (by maximizing the intake of outside air and reducing or avoiding recirculation of air)
- adhere to strict environmental cleaning as per the most current advice from the Department of Health’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for health and residential care facilities or our local public health unit
- clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces with detergent and disinfectant wipe/solution between each episode of patient care – using a cleaning detergent followed by a disinfectant, or a two-in-one product with cleaning and disinfecting properties
Record-keeping
To aid contact tracing in the event a patient, team member, contractor, or any visitor to the practice tests positive for COVID-19, our practice will:
- maintain a record of all patient appointments (including recording people accompanying the patient), team member work times, and contractors/visitors to the practice, including entry and exit times
- utilise a contactless electronic system (ie QR code or similar) to record contact details, ensuring data is stored confidentially and securely and is only used for the purpose for which it was intended
- maintain these records for a minimum of 28 days.
