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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
As you are all aware we are now facing the coronavirus pandemic. This can be a worrying time but we, the Andrew Place Clinic staff, want to assure you that we remain dedicated to assisting our patients and their families throughout these challenging circumstances. In order to minimise the potential spread of the coronavirus we will be implementing some changes to the way Andrew Place Clinic runs and we would greatly appreciate your cooperation. Also be aware that this is a rapidly changing situation and as such advice and procedures are likely to change. Please continue to check out website for the most updated information. Due to the coronavirus pandemic we are unable to see any patients with cold or flu symptoms (including cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose). We instead ask that you book a telehealth consult – which is a consultation conducted over the phone (a facetime or zoom chat can also be arranged). If you are coming to see your doctor for an unrelated issue – but also have cold and flu symptoms – even if very mild – we ask that you postpone your appointment until you are symptom free or arrange for a telehealth consult. You may also consider delaying non-urgent appointments and procedures. If you are concerned you have coronavirus please call the Austin Hospital Coronavirus Hotline on 9496 6606. You can also access the online risk assessment tool at www.austin.org.au. In order to minimise potential exposure to the coronavirus, while you are within the clinic we will be implementing the following:- · Please call the reception when you arrive for your appointment and remain in your car. Reception will log you as arrived and when the doctor is ready to see you, you will be called and instructed to enter the clinic. We hope to reduce the number of people in the waiting room and therefore reduce your risk. · Waiting room seats have been separated to create distances which will minimise your exposure to other patients, if you need to wait in the waiting room. Similarly you may notice a change in the seating arrangements in all consulting rooms. · Please ensure you use hand sanitiser as you enter the clinic and then again on leaving. Again, these are worrying times and sometimes that worry can become significant distress. Please contact Andrew Place Clinic if you are concerned about your own mental health, or that of a loved one. For 24 hour a day telephone crisis support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 44. For Further COVID-19 Advice, patients can call: DHHS Hotline: 1800 675 398 (open 24 hours, 7 days) Austin Hospital: 9496 6606 Northern Hospital: 8405 8844 (only if they have a fever) Thank you for your understanding. Flu Vaccination Information: We received a very small supply of over 65 year old vaccinations last week, which have now run out. We expect another delivery in the coming weeks for over 65 year old immunisations and other ages. We will be arranging flu clinics also. Please note that given the coronavirus these will run differently compared to previous years. We are currently reviewing the clinic process to make it as safe for our patients and staff as possible. Please continue to review this section of our webiste (or call the clinic) for updates. In Preparation - Blood Pressure Machine & Electronic Temperature Probe “ In preparation for the upcoming prolonged physical distancing we would suggest each family consider purchasing an Blood Pressure machine ( we use Omron and recommend this for anyone over 40 years of age) and an electronic temperature probe ( we use Braun via the ear probe and recommend this for everyone) and familiarize yourself we how it works. This will help the doctors monitor your conditions and health whilst being at home.” NEW SERVICES: Telephone Consultations (during COVID-19 pandemic) Bulk-Billed telephone consultations are now available at Andrew Place Clinic. For information on who is eligible for these appointments please see this information. The process for phone appointments is: 1. Call our Clinic directly to book an appointment time 2. Check that you have a valid Medicare card 3. When it is time for your appointment, the Doctor will ring you directly. 4. Once the appointment is completed, the Doctor will print any documents required eg: a script, referral, Medical certificate, etc. We can then send these to you via e-mail, you can collect them from us or we’ll post them to you directly. *Please note that you must have a valid Medicare card to book a phone consultation. Telehealth services will be available to:
HotDoc Online Bookings currently unavailable We have decided to stop online bookings until further notice given the coronavirus pandemic. We appolgise for the incovience. Please continue to call reception for all appointment needs. We hope to have this up and running again as soon as possible. MoleMap Check Appointments and Mirena appointments are currently on hold As we attempt to reduce the risk of coronavirus spread there will be no further bookings for MoleMap Checks or Mirena (IUD insertions). We appolgise for the incovience. We will update this news page once the service is back up and running. STAFF NEWS: It's A Boy!! (Dr. Genevieve Shing on Maternity Leave) Just a (slightly overdue) introduction...and with no name yet confirmed (are at the shortlist stage!).. Baby brother and new son arrived safe and well on 9/2/20..a healthy 3.9kg and absolutely perfect! Big brother has taken on his very important role just beautifully, and they are enjoying reliving the hazy but beautiful newborn stage! Dr. Tristan Barnes has Returned to Andrew Place Clinic. Dr. Tristan Barnes has resumed working at Andrew Place Clinic and is now available for appointments. With his return, we are excited to have another male doctor available for consultations. Dr. Barnes will be happy to see all patients. A full biography can be viewed on the Doctors page. He is working on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and some Saturdays. Current Registrar - Dr Hakamjit Kang Dr Hakamjit Kang is our current registrar. He began working on 3/2/2020 and will be with us until 2/8/2020. A full biography will be added to the Doctors page within the coming weeks. It's A Girl!! (Dr Christina Illing on Maternity Leave) We are excited to announce that Dr. Christina Illing, her husband and new big brother, welcomed into the world their new baby girl Madeline Ivy Rose on 25/11/2019. Mum and baby are doing well. Dr. Christina Illing will be on maternity leave from Andrew Place Clinic until further notice. DOCTORS ON LEAVE: Doctors on leave in March/ April The following doctors will be on leave in March/ April: Dr Leanne Cole: 30/3/2020 to 5/4/2020 Doctors on leave in April The following doctors will be on leave in April: Dr Roslyn Rayner: 8/4/2020 to 15/4/2020 Dr Wendy Bernet: 10/4/2020 to 17/4/2020 CHANGE TO POLICY FOR RECEIVING RESULTS, REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS, REFERRALS AND TELEPHONING YOUR DOCTOR Please refer to the "Appointments Tab" on our website for further information regarding changes to our Clinic's policies relating to Receiving Results, Repeat Prescriptions, Referrals and Telephoning your Doctor. No Requests will be taken or actioned and results will not be given out on the weekend or on a public holiday and can only be given out via the telephone after 11am on weekdays. Any non-urgent requests will be forwarded to your doctor and will be actioned within the 10 business days. If the matter is more urgent, we recommend that you make an appointment to see your doctor. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. SMS REMINDERS Due to changes in accreditation requirements we require each patient’s verbal consent to send SMS reminders. Please contact reception to consent and note that you will not be able to receive SMS reminders, including those for upcoming appointments with your GP, until this has been done. Thanks for your cooperation. |