COVID POLICY

(RESPIRATORY ILLNESS INFORMATION)

Waverley Family Healthcare is committed to provided the best care possible for respiratory illness presentations.

To ensure the safety of all patients and staff, we have implemented numerous infection control practices, in line with current recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Waverley Family Healthcare has implemented a Face Mask Policy.

Upon entrance to our clinic, all patients and staff are required to wear a face mask. This policy has been implemented to ensure safety of the community.

Experiencing symptoms?

In accordance with the DHHS, common symptoms for respiratory illness include:

• chills or sweats
• cough
• cold
• fever
• runny nose
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• sneezing

Dial 000 if you are having trouble breathing.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and would like to book an appointment, please call the clinic on (03) 9802 8000 or book online via HotDoc. We are able to arrange phone appointments or car consultations, on a case-by-case basis.

All patients who call us to book or come in for face-to-face appointments will be asked if they have respiratory symptoms (cold, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose), and patients with confirmed respiratory symptoms:

• need to perform a 4-in-1 RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) on the day of the appointment before coming into the clinic
• the test result must be negative
• must show the result for proof before being seen by GPs

A positive test result requires a PHONE consultation, this can be done from in the car or in an isolated waiting room.

The tests are compulsory for anyone with symptoms having an appointment, including those who accompanies the patient. eg.If a child is coming in to see a GP and has symptoms, then the parent or caregiver that comes with the child also needs to do the 4-in-1 RAT as well.

The full 4-in-1 RAT (includes Covid, Flu A & B, RSV) can be purchased for $15 from healthSAVE pharmacy located on ground floor near the entrance.

All patients coming into the clinic will be screened and asked questions for respiratory symptoms; Reception will document patient’s response for the GP, this will help us to triage care appropriately and safely.

Some GPs will not see patients face-to-face if they report any symptoms regardless of the test result; they will be advised to do a phone consult instead. If they are waiting in the car, it will be at the GP’s discretion depending on the symptoms.

If doing car consults or being directed to wait in the car while doing the RAT, patients need to make sure to keep their mobile phone on; if it’s not on we cannot call them. Also please ensure the phone numbers are correct and working.

If a patient report symptoms regardless of the test result and they have not been in our clinic before or in the last 24 hours, there may be a full fee charged payable on the day (no Medicare rebate) at the discretion of the GP, regardless of concession status or age. Reception will advise if this is the case.

Symptoms Screening

Upon entrance to the clinic, every patient is asked screening questions. Each patient and anyone accompanying the patient will need to answer the questions.

This information is collected to ensure that anyone experiencing symptoms is treated appropriately in accordance with infection control procedures. It is important the questions are answered accurately to allow us to appropriately triage your healthcare.

*If you have flu-like symptoms or any contagious symptoms, please notify Reception immediately*

If you report symptoms and have a vehicle:
You will be asked to remain in your vehicle and complete a full 4-in-1 RAT.

Please call us 9802 8000 to report the RAT result. Regardless of the result (positive or negative), the GP will contact you to provide advice on the next steps.

If you report symptoms and do not have a vehicle:
You will be directed to a vacant clinical room, which serves as a safe, isolated waiting space and will ensure both your comfort and infection control, and complete a full 4-in-1 RAT.

Please inform Reception of the RAT result. Regardless of the result (positive or negative), the GP will provide advice on the next steps.

Staying safe

Maintaining good hygiene is critical to minimising the transmission of respiratory illness. This can be achieved through the following guidelines:

• Wash your hands regularly
• Use hand sanitiser regularly
• Maintain a 1.5 metre distance from others when possible
• Wear a fitted face mask when appropriate

At Waverley Family Healthcare, we have made it a priority to implement these practices into our clinical duties. This includes hand sanitisation stations available throughout the clinic, hand-washing facilities, regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces and symptom screening.