IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR OUR PATIENTS! Written and updated on 30th March 2020
1. Can I do phone consultation with my doctor? Will my doctor bulk-bill still?
Yes, our GPs are now offering Telehealth (Phone consultation) Service at Claremont Meadows Medical Centre. All Australian with valid medicare are eligible for our bulkbilled telehealth service. You can book online 24/7 on our website or call us on 0286 070 970 to book a phone consultation.
2. I think I might need examination, so don’t you think telehealth consultation might not be the right one for me?
We encourage every patient to book for telehealth consultation because it is the best way to prevent spread of COVID19. If your doctor thinks you need an examination, your doctor will arrange one for you at the end of telehealth consultation which can sometimes be the same day with your telehealth consult day.
3. I am a new patient and I have never been to this clinic. Can I still book for “telehealth” consultation?
Yes, you can do telehealth consultation with our doctor, even though you are our new patient.
4. I don’t have valid Medicare card. Can I book for telehealth consultation?
Yes, you can. However, please call our Receptionist to book your private consultation and ask about consultation fees.
5. I am worried that I might get coronavirus infection, from other patients at clinic. How likely I have a chance to get Coronavirus infection from other patients, staffs or doctors at clinic?
At our clinic, we screen very carefully for all infectious patients – we screen not only patients at risk of Coronavirus infection, but also patients with flu-like symptoms and infectious patients. No infectious patients are allowed to wait in our waiting room to prevent spread of infection. Patients with any known risk of COVID will be consulted via telehealth. In Summary, we would like to inform our patients that we have taken all the measures to prevent any transmission of infection among our patients, doctors and staffs. We can reassure our patients that we have made sure our clinic stays quite low risk for Coronavirus infection. Our clinic screening protocols and infection control protocols are regularly reviewed and updated to keep our patients, community, doctors and staffs safe.
6. Why are staffs asking questions to every patient at Reception? Why are staffs asking questions when I call for booking? Why online booking also asks my clinical situation?
You will be asked screening questions when you book an appointment online or phone, as well as when you walk-in. These questions are to assess your risk of having Coronavirus infection and other infectious disease like cold and flu viral infection. Like our patients, we do not want any infections spread to other patients, our doctors or our staffs. Therefore, we would like to request all our patients to answer all our screening questions carefully and follow our staffs’ instructions to keep our community safe.
7. Can I ask for masks from the clinic?
No. We are sorry to say that we cannot give any masks except patient with very high risk of Coronavirus. If you think you are infectious, please bring your own masks or at least cover your mouth and nose with facial tissue or elbow if you are coughing or sneezing.
8. Has the clinic opening hours changed?
No. We are still operating as usual business hours. We are open 7 Day, Monday to Friday 8 am till 6 pm and Saturday and Sunday : 8 am to 2 pm.
9. Do you have on-site pathology? Is it still operating same?
Yes, we have onsite pathology. It is 4Cyte Pathology. It still opens 6 days a week. Monday to Friday 8 am to 1 pm and Saturday 8 am to 2 pm. It is walk-in service. 4Cyte Pathology now offers FREE home pathology service. Please speak to your doctor or our Receptionist to book for it.
Our Practice Nurse also can do pathology service – available Monday to Friday 1 pm to 5 pm. You need get an appointment with our nurse.
10. Can your pathology do Coronavirus testing?
No. Our pathology could not perform Coronavirus testing.
11. Is there any Pathology where I can do Coronavirus testing?
Yes, there are other pathology providers nearby our clinic. There is also drive-in pathology service.
Please ask our Receptionist to get up-to-date pathology service provider contact details and address.
Your doctor will advise the most appropriate pathology provider for you and will advise how to arrange for testing.
All these pathology providers are Medicare rebatable and nil out-of-pocket for COVID testing. All these providers need referral letter from your GP. You may need to ring for an appointment. You cannot walk-in.
12. Can you tell me more about Coronavirus Clinic at Nepean Hospital?
The clinic is at Nepean Hospital, West Block, Level 1. The clinic opens 7 days – 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. You do not need GP referral. You can walk-in. You don’t need to call the clinic ahead either. The clinic can assess you and can do Coronavirus testing if you meet the criteria for high risk for Coronavirus infection. After the test done, you need to isolate till you get result and further advice. It usually takes 72 hours to get your result back. The clinic will ring you and give you the result. The result won’t go to your GP. You will need to ring your doctor to tell your result.
13. Is there any other allied health professionals and specialist available at Claremont Meadows Medical Centre? Are they still seeing patients during this Coronavirus Pandemic Time?
We have Visiting Paediatrician, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist and Podiatrist and they are still available as usual. We also screen every patient of these professionals and we may ask to postpone your appointment if you are sick. Please ring and let us know if you have appointment with them and you are sick or self-isolating.
14. Any telehealth consultation available with specialist or allied health professionals?
At the time of writing, Our psychologist is already offering telehealth consultations. Regarding other specialist or allied health professionals, please call our Receptionist and enquire about up-to-date changes.
15. If I am suspicious of Coronavirus infection for myself, what should I do?
If you feel very unwell and severely short of breath, you should visit Emergency Department. If your symptoms are not too bad, you can book online for telehealth or ring us for telehealth appointment. Please do not walk-in. Please do not ENTER clinic, ring us first. There is also Coronavirus Clinic at Nepean Hospital, West Block Level 1. They have their criteria whom they are going to see or test. If you see doctor, your doctor will direct you what you should do next.
16. My doctor has advised me to do self-isolation because I am suspected for Coronavirus infection, how do I do self-isolation or home isolation?
Please Click here to read everything you need to know about home isolation such as
- Who should be isolated at home?
- Do I need to wear a mask inside my home?
- What about other people in my home?
- Do carers or household members need to be isolated as well?
- Going outside while I am on self isolation.
- How to keep spirits up while in home isolation
- How to keep spirits up while in home isolation
- How to reduce boredom during isolation
- How to clean my room and my house?
17. My doctor said I have coronavirus infection and advised me to do home isolation. how do I do self-isolation or home isolation?
It is always the same as above regarding home isolation whether you are suspected or confirmed case of Coronavirus infection. Please Click here to read everything you need to know about home isolation.
18. I have done the test and now I have to do self isolation till the result is out. Does it mean my family has to do self-isolation too?
Yes, it is always safer to tell your close family to do self-isolation too unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
19. What should I do if I become unwell after leaving isolation or quarantine?
While COVID-19 is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and tiredness are much more likely to be suffering from a cold or other respiratory illness – not COVID-19. However, as a precaution, if you do develop these symptoms soon after leaving isolation, you are encouraged to see your usual doctor. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what steps you should take to get better and may test you for a number of respiratory infections including coronavirus, if medically necessary
20. How can I help prevent the spread of coronavirus?
Practising good sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
- cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- practice social-distancing (stay more than 1.5 meters from people)
- and if unwell, avoid contact with others and stay home and book online for “telehealth” consultation.
21. Where can I get more information?
For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au
Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts
If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.
22. Where do I find my local public health unit’s contact details?
Public health unit contact details are not for all people. If you are a suspected or confirmed case, the local public health unit in the state or territory where you have been placed in home isolation would normally provide their contacts details to you. If you don’t have these details or they have been misplaced, you are welcome to call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. They will redirect you to the state and territory health department responsible for the local public health unit.
23. Does my doctor from this clinic have any advice for their patients?
- Wash your hands frequently, cover your cough/sneeze
- If you are worried, please ring us to book a telehealth appointment or book online.
- Avoid any crowded places or any public places or any public transport
- Stay up-to-date with government recommendation
- If you can work from home, please speak to your employer to do so