If you test positive for COVID, and are within 5 days of symptoms starting and fit into any of the categories below, you might be eligible to get a prescription for antiviral medication. The medications have some efficacy in reducing the risk of severe disease and hospitalisation, over and above the efficacy of your vaccines.
If you think you might be a candidate for COVID antiviral medication, please call the practice and let reception staff know that you have COVID and need to speak to a doctor about the medications. We will book you for a video consult so that we can assess you and provide advice. We can also lend you a pulse oximeter if appropriate and arrange some appointment times to check on you.
Eligibility categories:
aged 70 years or older
aged 50 years or over and at high risk*
aged 18 years or over and moderately or severely immunocompromised.
aged 30 years or over and identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and at high risk*
*High risk is defined as the presence of at least two of the following conditions:
- The patient is in residential aged care
- The patient has a disability with multiple co‑morbidities and/or frailty
- Neurological conditions, including stroke, dementia, and demyelinating conditions
- Respiratory compromise, including COPD, moderate or severe asthma (required inhaled steroids), and bronchiectasis, or caused by neurological or musculoskeletal disease
- Heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
- Obesity (BMI greater than 30 kg/m2)
- Diabetes types I and II, requiring medication for glycaemic control
- Renal impairment (eGFR less than 60 mL/min)
- Cirrhosis
The medications are
Paxlovid (has some important medication interactions that need to be checked)
OR
More information at:
Information on vaccination is being updated at http://erskinevilledoctors.com.au/looking-ahead-covid-vaccination/
For detailed information about the vaccines and program click here.
To find a vaccine clinic see here
If you want to have your COVID vaccine with us:
- Please select "COVID vaccine dose 1 or 2" or COVID booster in the online booking system as your appointment type. If you were not previously a patient of our practice, please do not select a "New Patient" appointment.
- We review your medical history prior to our vaccine clinics so it is very important you add your medical history on the patient booking form if you are new to the practice.
- Please fill in the electronic COVID Vaccination consent form that is sent to you via SMS. If you cannot locate this please print the consent form attached, complete it and bring it to your appointment
NSW Health recommends that anyone with respiratory symptoms or unexplained fever should be tested for COVID-19. Relevant symptoms that could be COVID-19 related are fever ≥37.5, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell and loss of taste.
Other reported symptoms of COVID-19 include runny nose, muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting and loss of appetite.
If you are contacted by anyone to let you know about a potential exposure (this might not be NSW Health initially), we suggest that you get a COVID test as soon as you can and stay in isolation until you get further advice.
The NSW Health advice can be found here - close contacts, casual contacts. You should read this information carefully. In general, an indoor setting for more than 15 minutes with people in reasonably close proximity will be considered a close contact exposure.
If you develop symptoms while in self-isolation, you can call us for a consult or attend one of the COVID swab clinics. Please wear a mask and do not take public transport.
When attending a COVID swab clinic you should take your Medicare card and/or ID, wear a mask to attend, and be self-isolating before and after attending. This means that you need to wait for your test result until you go to work, shopping, go on public transport, attend the gym or do anything outside of your house that involves interacting with other members of the public. The turnaround time is about 48 hours.
We recommend talking to your doctor if you are worried about feeling quite unwell as the COVID clinic might not be the best place to go.
If you have severe symptoms, like increasing shortness of breath, you should call you local Emergency Department and present there either by Ambulance 000 or taken by a family member. You need to let people know that you fit the criteria for suspect COVID-19 case so that they can treat you appropriately.
If you test positive for COVID (via PCR or Rapid Antigen Test), or if you just suspect you may have COVID, you should stay away from vulnerable people in your social circle and at work. We encourage you to register your RAT with SErvice NSW.
Please call us within 5 days of testing positive if you are in one of these categories, as you may qualify for antiviral medication. Currently anyone in these categories are definitely eligible. Anyone who is unvaccinated or has only had 2 vaccines should be particularly concerned.
- Aged 70
- Aged > 50 with 2 comorbidities
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander aged >30 or over with 2 comorbidities
- Aged > 18 with immunocompromising condition
If you are unvaccinated, over 65, pregnant or have significant chronic illness or active cancer you are more likely to suffer from serious illness. People in this group with a positive COVID 19 PCR are triaged into hospital led virtual COVID care which includes monitoring for symptoms, checking your oxygen levels three times a day via a pulse oximeter and check ins with the COVID care team. If you have not have a PCR test and have a positive RAT, you should seek medical care as you need closer monitoring.
We recommend you read the following document which outlines symptoms of concern.
https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/RPA-Virtual-Hospital/pdf/COVID-19-GP-care-ALL-patient-information.pdf
If you are well or have very minor symptoms please stay home and follow the advice in the following document: How to manage COVID-19 safely at home - Fact sheets (nsw.gov.au).
Most people will recover at home. As with the flu, you need to rest, drink plenty of fluids, avoid drugs and alcohol. The evidence suggests that paracetamol should be taken in preference to ibuprofen for pain, and that you do not need to take it just to treat fever.
Please do not come into the clinic in person unless requested by the GP/Nurse at Erskineville Doctors (and then only with the appropriate precautions). If our staff get unwell, we will be unable to help you and your family/ community.
Please note that our usual billing applies for any Telehealth consultations. You will be eligible for Medicare rebates even if you have not attended the practice in the past 12 months.
Please stay home and isolate if you are COVID positive, even if you have no symptoms, this protects the community including your friends and family. We hope you get well soon!
All of the available testing sites (public and private) are updated here.You do not need a GP referral to attend the testing clinics. You can also make a quick phone appointment with us to arrange a self-testing kit.
See here for what you need to know before attending.
We recommend talking to your doctor if you are worried about feeling quite unwell as the COVID clinic might not be the best place to go.
The swab clinics are not assessment centres. If you have severe symptoms, like increasing shortness of breath, you should present to your local Emergency Department either by Ambulance 000 or taken by a family member. You need to let people know that you fit the criteria for suspect COVID-19 case so that they can treat you appropriately.
When attending a COVID swab clinic you should take your Medicare card and/or ID, wear a mask to attend, and be self-isolating before and after attending. This means that you need to wait for your test result until you go out or go to work. The turnaround time is about 48 hours.
COVID-19 testing clinics
See here for a map of sites
You do NOT need a GP referral for this service.
These are the closest NSW Health sites:
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital follow the signs along the road near Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Building 25 on this map.
Canterbury Hospital
575 Canterbury Rd, Campsie
Outpatient department, access via the main entrance
Check the map for other pop-up clinics.
FOR CHILDREN - in general you can go many of the clinics, if your child is older than 5 years old. RPAH, Canterbury Hospital and the drive-throughs will see all ages, but if you think your child will need to be held for the test, a drive-through clinic will not be a good option.
Our nearest GP respiratory clinics are located at:
- Bondi Junction GP Respiratory Clinic
47 Spring St, Bondi Junction
Appointments can be made via this link or by calling 9194 2788
We are aware that many children in childcare are picking up other viruses or becoming unwell with other febrile illnesses. NSW Health guidelines recommend that we treat patients of any age with relevant symptoms as potentially suspect for COVID-19.
We recommend talking to your doctor if you are worried about your child as the COVID swab clinic might not be the best place to go.
You do not need a GP referral to attend the NSW Health testing clinics. You will need a request form for any of the private pathology companies, which will require a short phone consultation. See the list of clinics above.
Please note that the drive-through clinics are not suitable for children if you would normally hold them on your lap for an examination. Some clinics will not see children under the age of 5.
COVID testing sites for children
We recommend for children (in no particular order - you will need to consider how concerned you are about your child's symptoms)
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
8.00 am until 9.00pm, follow the signs along the road near Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Building 25 on this map.
This is NOT an assessment service, they will just do the swab
Canterbury Hospital
575 Canterbury Rd, Campsie
Outpatient department, access via the main entrance
8.00 am - 10.00 pm daily
This is NOT an assessment service, they will just do the swab
Sydney Children’s Hospital
Hospital Rd, (Off High Street and around the corner from children's emergency) Randwick
10.00 am - 8.00 pm, seven days per week - No appointment required. The COVID-19 Assessment Clinic will review children with mild respiratory symptoms and assess the need for COVID-19 swab.
The clinic is staffed by Paediatric-trained medical and nursing staff
Inner West GP Respiratory Clinic
21a Elliott Street, Balmain
8.30 am – 6.00 pm Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Saturday
Appointments can be made via iwrespclinic.com.au
This clinic will do a full consultation and assessment of your child, as well as taking swabs
Bondi Junction GP Respiratory Clinic
47 Spring St, Bondi Junction
9.00 am – 9.00 pm Monday to Friday
Appointments can be made via this link or by calling 9194 2788
This clinic will do a full consultation and assessment of your child, as well as taking swabs
Belmore Medical Respiratory Clinic
481 Burwood Rd, Belmore
10.00 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday
10.00 am – 1.00 pm Saturdays and Sundays
Booking essential for all evening appointments website for Belmore Medical
Phone: 97403211 Further information here: Respiratory Clinic
GP RESPIRATORY CLINICS
These clinics are available for people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms regardless of whether they need COVID19 testing. For example, a patient with acute exacerbation of asthma could need a clinical assessment. Please do not attend these clinics if you think you just need a swab.
Our nearest GP respiratory clinics are located at:
- Bondi Junction GP Respiratory Clinic
47 Spring St, Bondi Junction
9.00 am – 9.00 pm Monday to Friday
Appointments can be made via this link or by calling 9194 2788
Belmore Medical Respiratory Clinic
481 Burwood Rd, Belmore
10.00 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday
10.00 am – 1.00 pm Saturdays and Sundays
Booking essential for all evening appointments website for Belmore Medical
Phone: 97403211 Further information here: Respiratory Clinic
During COVID outbreaks we offer phone/video consultations as our first-line to be able to triage appropriately.
After an initial consultation, your doctor may decide that it’s appropriate to bring you in for review or could arrange for your assessment elsewhere. We can email or fax scripts, referrals and medical certificates.
We can offer video consults through Automed. You use the app or paste the link into your browser on computer or device.
If you are very unwell, please call rather than book online for a phone consultation. Our staff will ask you some screening questions to work out the urgency of your request.
You will need to be ready at the appointment time with your phone or device in a quiet place, just as you would for a face to face consultation. Consultations conducted in this manner will not be recorded.
Since April 2020, Medicare rebates have been paid by the Government to all eligible patients for phone/video consultations.
NOTE that the Government has determined that Medicare rebates will only be payable if the patient has attended the practice at least once in the past 12 months. There are some exemptions to this relating to public health orders and self-isolation. If your symptoms/COVID risk preclude a face to face consultation we will triage you and decide on the best course of action.
Patients will receive a Medicare rebate for telehealth consultations that are charged privately. Our fees for all consultations and the corresponding Medicare rebates are in line with those for face-to face consultations.
If you are experiencing new financial difficulties, please discuss this with your GP.
Please discuss with our receptionists if you think your issue will be better suited to seeing a doctor in person.
Your doctor might also ask you to attend for assessment in person after an initial phone/video consultation.
In all of these situations we will be asking you screening questions about your health on the phone and on arrival at the practice. Please bring a mask to your appointment.
Let us know that you have arrived, but we ask you to wait outside until we ask you to enter the waiting room. If you wish to wait in your car we can you call you when your doctor is ready. We will do our best to alert you if your doctor is not running on time.
There is HAND SANITISER just inside the door. Please use this immediately and put on your mask. Our staff will direct you where to sit in the waiting room.
What we are doing to protect patients:
- asking people to wait outside until your doctor is ready
- Limiting the numbers of patients in the waiting room according to physical distancing principles
- clinical staff are wearing masks when interacting with patients
- alcohol hand sanitiser is available all over the practice
- cleaning all surfaces in rooms between consultations
- implementing physical distancing between our staff within the practice
If you are asked to attend for any respiratory issue (eg. exacerbation of asthma), you will be seen in a specific room set aside for this purpose. Please follow all the directions of our staff.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists released a statement for pregnant women and their families. This is available here.
If you already have appointments booked with us you may continue with this - we suggest via telephone for any extra appointments, or you may safely cancel booked appointments outside this schedule. We are happy to support your care in a way that works for you as resources allow. For comparison, the previous schedule was all visits done in person, the timing was 4 weekly until 28weeks, 2 weekly until 36 weeks and then weekly (approximately 5 more visits).
|
|
Weeks gestation |
Where |
What will be done |
|
1 |
6-10w |
GP |
Confirm pregnancy Refer for blood tests Arrange scan – cFTS (Combined first trimester screening) 7w Dating scan can be omitted NIPT – optional Flu vaccine given (Government funded) |
|
2 |
11-13w |
Ultrasound/ blood test |
Combined First trimester Screening Refer for NIPT (Harmony test) if high risk |
|
3 |
14-18w |
Teleconference call with Hospital midwife |
Patient to take own Blood Pressure (BP) and weight |
|
4 |
20w |
GP or Hospital |
Review Patient to take own BP machine to the visit Whooping cough vaccine can be given after 20w |
|
5 |
22-23w |
Ultrasound hospital or private company |
Detailed fetal scan |
|
6 |
23w |
Hospital - midwife |
Detailed clinical review in person |
|
7 |
28w |
Teleconference with Hospital midwife |
Patient to take own BP Anti – D for Rhesus negative patients arranged |
|
8 |
32w |
GP or Hospital Midwife |
Check growth, movements and review BP |
|
9 |
36w |
Ultrasound in person then GP or Hospital Midwife by teleconference |
Ultrasound checks fetal size and wellbeing and blood pressure taken there at the ultrasound.
GP or midwife checks scan report arranges Anti- D (if needed), bloods and swab and reviews BP
|
|
10 |
38w |
Teleconference with GP or Midwife |
Patient takes own BP |
|
11 |
40w |
Hospital |
Review of growth, BP Induction of labour booked |
What you will need at home:
- The hospital has suggested that you have a blood pressure machine that works properly - goes around your upper arm. If you are having face to face consults with us, we can check your BP then.
- A reliable set of scales
Your shared care GP is only a phone call away at Erskineville Doctors if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or wellbeing.
Hospitals are likely to be encouraging early discharge programs, which usually involved home visits from a Midwife. Our doctors here can also be consulted if you and your baby need care in those early weeks. Again, we are keeping people out of the practice so we can see you in person if we need to.
We recommend resources like Possums Online. They do have videos, PIPPS parents group, online community groups for parents of newborns, and online sessions about "Bringing Baby Home".
If you have a respiratory illness, we want to ensure you receive timely and thorough care, noting we also need to limit exposure to staff and other patients.
It's recommended you book a Telehealth appointment, so your doctor can make an initial assessment. If a physical assessment is required, they will organise an appropriate time for you to come into the practice.
For those with pre-booked, non-urgent appointments, it is recommended to change your appointment to a Telehealth or reschedule once recovered
Patients who have tested negative to COVID, but do have cold or flu like symptoms should wear a mask whilst on site