Keep in touch with your GP
TO NAVIGATE your way through the next few months of COVID-19 restrictions you will need your GP and your primary health care team.
It is now more important than ever that your blood pressure, cholesterol, lung disease, diabetes, mental health and other chronic health conditions are managed as well as possible. Overseas evidence has shown that your best defence against a serious viral infection is excellent control of your chronic health conditions.
Unfortunately, the recent announcement by the Prime Minister of the cancellation of nonurgent elective surgeries will affect many.
Cancelling non-urgent procedures in public and private hospitals is a necessary evil designed to free up capacity in the hospital to care for the predicted COVID-19 patients.
Only Category 1 and the most urgent of Category 2 patients will be dealt with from now and this will leave a lot of the community disappointed that they have to wait longer for treatment. Elective surgery cancellations were a predictable next step in building hospital capacity but thankfully Townsville University Hospital has been in communication with GPS to establish relationships and pathways to support patients so that care needs can be met in the community.
If your own hospital appointment has been affected you will be contacted directly by the hospital, so in the meantime please attend any appointments that have already been made until you are told otherwise.
Your first point of call to discuss your concerns about your waiting period will be your GP who understands your condition and the nature of your referral. Remember this kind of consultation is well suited to the telephone so don’t forget to phone ahead and ask for telehealth. Your GP will work with you and the hospital to manage your condition while remaining in the community as the hospital will be engaging and supporting GP capacity and expertise during this time.
Your GPS and primary health care teams will be working throughout all the COVID-19 restrictions to help you achieve your optimal health levels. Reach out and engage with them.