Virus clinic in Geelong

Unit aims to ease hospital burden

A RESPIRATORY clinic where GPs and nurses can assess and test patients for COVID-19 is being set up in Geelong.

When contracts are finalised, the Western Victoria Primary Health Network will support the clinic to become operational over the next fortnight. It is not known where the clinic, funded by the Federal Government, will be located or the date it will open.

Respiratory clinics will reduce the risk of further transmission of COVID-19, help to optimise the use of available stocks of personal protective equipment, and help reduce the pressure on hospital emergency departments, according to the federal Health Department.

“The clinics will be established in dedicated premises which meet clear criteria, with arrangements to safely manage infection control,” a department fact sheet says.

“They will complement efforts of state and territory clinics at public hospitals.

“The clinics will be staffed by existing general practice doctors and nurses and will be funded to assess, test and diagnose respiratory cases, including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia.”

Meanwhile, Western Victoria PHN will be running virtual offices, with all staff working from home, meaning the Geelong office will be closed until further notice.

Healthcare providers, including GPs, pharmacies and healthcare workers at indigenous and Torres Strait Islander health services, can still order masks by filling in the online form on the WVPHN website.

Masks will be delivered via courier.

Western Victoria PHN chief executive Leanne Beagley said health professionals, especially GPs, were on the frontline of the health response to this pandemic.

“With regards to pandemic emergency planning, we are working with GPs and key personnel and the health services to develop and implement strategies to assist health care providers and communities during this emergency,” she said.

Dr Beagley said key providers such as headspace were at the forefront of this planning.

“We will continue to advise the state and federal governments on the situation in western Victoria and work to implement supports and assistance for GPs where possible,” she said.