During the COVID 19 Pandemic – to keep our patients and staff safe and to enable social distancing in our waiting room we are continuing to provide telephone consultations. In some cases however, a face to face appointment will be required. So when should you use a telehealth consultation versus a face to face consultation?
TELEHEALTH;
- Repeat prescriptions for chronic medical conditions or contraception
- Repeat referral letters
- Chronic disease management – if the condition is relatively stable e. g high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma.
- Managing mental health issues (we are here for you)
- Discussing lifestyle and preventative health such as diet and exercise.
- Those with cold or flu like symptoms (COVID testing can be arranged)
- Those at high risk of COVID 19 – returned from a hot spot region or a contact of a positive case.
FACE TO FACE;
- Skin conditions – such as a new rash or skin lesion ( a photo may not be enough)
- Conditions where an examination may be required e.g. abdominal pain, chest pain, pregnancy checks, breast lumps, back pain and sport injuries.
- Procedures such as removing skin lesion, performing cervical screening, giving immunisations or injections, inserting long acting contraceptives.
- Unwell patients (including children and babies) that require review after a telehealth appointment with their doctor. If they have fever or flu like symptoms they may be booked into our isolation room CHECK clinic which has a separate entry to the practice.
Telehealth appointments may be booked through reception or using our Hot Doc app. If a face to face appointment is required please discuss with reception or your doctor. If urgent medical care is required please call 000 or attend your local emergency department.
As we can only fit 7 patients in our waiting room at one time, on occasions you may have to wait in the car until the doctor or nurse is ready to see you. These measures have been put in place to keep you and our vulnerable patients safe.
*Please note that due to government changes on 20th July, a medicare rebate for telehealth consults is now only available to regular patients of the practice that have been seen in the last 12 months. A private telehealth fee with no medicare rebate may apply to patients that have not attended in the last 12 months. This change does not apply to infants under 12 months or age, people who are homeless or those living in COVID-19 hotspots.
Thank you for your understanding, as we adapt to the ‘new normal’ for now. Even though the way we book appointments are a little different right now, please don’t put off your health needs – we are here for you! Stay Covid safe!