COVID-19 Provider Update

Watch a recording of Wed 13 May webinar - focusing on an update on the SA response to COVID-19 so far and a Q&A session.

The Athelstone Respiratory COVID Clinic will support the assessment, testing and diagnosis of patients with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms.

Adelaide PHN has produced a succinct patient factsheet for patients. The resource summarises the general process and outlining tips to get the most out of a telehealth appointment. The resource also includes a notes page for use during the appointment. 

Watch a recording of Wed 29 April webinar - focus on reflections and lessons learnt from the response to COVID-19 so far.

Watch a recording of Wed 22 April webinar - focus on clearance of COVID-19.

The North Eastern Respiratory Clinic will support the assessment, testing and diagnosis of patients with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms. Book via this link.

A second Commonwealth-funded dedicated GP Respiratory Clinic, the Reynella Respiratory Clinic, has opened today in southern Adelaide to support the assessment and testing of those with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms.

On direction from the Department of Health, Adelaide PHN is one of the Primary Health Networks coordinating flu vaccinations for staff and residents of aged care facilities. Our Practice Facilitators are actively contacting RACFs across Adelaide to support supply, access and delivery of flu vaccinations. 

The first Commonwealth funded dedicated Respiratory Clinic has opened today in the central Adelaide area to support the assessment, testing and diagnosis of community members experiencing mild to moderate respiratory symptoms.

Upon receival of additional PPE from state and national stockpiles, Adelaide PHN has expanded distribution to general practice from only surgical masks to other PPE items including N95 masks, gloves and gowns. Hand sanitiser is also anitcipated. Application still by EOI. 

New version with updated advice from SAPOL regarding the requirements of essential travellers and clarifying the need for poeple to isolate after having a test (if they have symptoms).

General practices and other primary care providers are encourgaed to promote the COVIDSafe app to their patients - a drop box of resources is available to support promotional efforts here. 

The Emergency Management Direction has been revoked and a new directive issued. Lifting these restrictions allows hospitals to prioritise surgeries based on need.

The list includes providers (name, phone number and suburb) who had Fluad® Quad Influenza vaccine for persons 65 years and older available as at 7 May 2020.

South Australians who test positive for COVID-19 will receive daily support throughout self-isolation from two new dedicated teams -The COVID-19 GP Assessment Team and nurse-led SA Health Remote Monitoring Service

Commencing 1 May, testing will continue to be recommended for anyone experiencing any fever or respiratory symptoms. Testing recommendations has also been extended to those experiencing an unexplained loss of smell and/or altered sense of taste. Those with clinically compatible symptoms of COVID-19 who are ALSO either a close contact of a confirmed case OR returned from overseas in the previous 14 days should also access testing.

BreastScreen SA is restarting its breast cancer screening program from Thursday 30 April 2020

Following decision by National Cabinet, the SA Direction in relation to appropriate surgery will be revised and elective surgery will commence in a staged manner from April 27.

COVID-19 diagnosis will soon be available in <60 minutes with rapid testing capability being rolled out to enable clinicians in hospitals settings to make quick decisions around the care of patients deemed clinically urgent.

SA Health have broadened the testing criteria for COVID-19 for a two week period, starting Thursday 16 April, to determine if there is previously undetected community transmission of COVID-19 in South Australia.

SA Health has developed the a guiding document of recommendations for immunisation providers to support the ongoing delivery of the National Immunisation Program.

Alert and position statement from SA expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (SAAGAR) on the appropriate place of hydroxychloroquine in clinical practice.

Very high risk epidemiological criteria expanded to include 'persons who have been to Adelaide Airport including in the terminal or carpark in the 14 days prior to illness onset' 

- testing criteria expanded to inc. patients w/ respiratory symptoms & interstate travel in in last 7 days

From Wednesday 29 April, the collection capacity of the Domiciliary service has been expanded to now accomodate up to 60 patient visits per day.

A new COVID-19 Digital Health Service has launched to streamline the delivery of negative COVID-19 test results, enabling patients to access them from a secure online platform. Initially available to patients testing via SA Health's COVID-19 clinics and drive through testing services, the service will be expanded across the state in the coming weeks.

Under new arrangements, there is no longer a requirement for GPs to phone and arrange patient bookings into Repat or Hampstead drive through collections services. GPs should fax pathology forms and SA Pathology will contact patient directly to arrange booking. 

SA Pathology will establish two dedicated Collection Centres in Hyde Park and Elizabeth to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases for immunocompromised and vulnerable patients.

SA Pathology are receiving a high volume of COVID-19 pathology requests that do not specify the preferred collection service. Find fax numbers for each COVID-19 collection service via this notice. 

A checklist resource aims to assist GPs with privacy compliance when delivering telehealth services

Including an update on the announcement of a 3 step framework for a COVIDSafe Australia, promotional of TEN: The Essental Network supporting frontline health workers, a highlight of the statistics of GP telehealth across the country, a summary of available resources and evidence relevant to primary care delivery and more. 

Federal Government announced that Sonic Healthcare (Clinpath in SA) has been contracted to provide rapid sample collection and testing within RACFs. The service runs seven days per week in urban and rural areas. GPs to request the testing. For infomration see the COVID-19 information pack here or a flowchart here.  

An update for GPs from Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer & Principle Medical Advisor

A Visitor Access Code to ensure a nationally consistent visitation policy to residential aged care homes during the COVID-19 crisis is now open for consultation - have your say, consultation open to 7 May!

The Australian Government today launches the new voluntary coronavirus app, COVIDSafe. The health initiative uses technology to automate and improve what state and territory health officials already do manually. Download the app from the App Stores.

The funding has been allocated to a variety of services including Hello Sunday Morning’s Daybreak Program, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Turning Point's online counselling, SMART Recovery, and Matilda Centre's Cracks in the Ice and Positive Choices portals.

Including an update on recommencement of cat 2 and certain cat 3 surgery, telehealth guidance, GP Respiratory clinics and more

This tool will soon to be operating in all public and private hopsitals with Intensive Care Units (ICU) and will provide a bird’s eye view of every ICU around the country using live data such as the number of available ICU beds and equiptment like ventilators. 

Senior Australians, their families and carers can now call a dedicated free call support line. The phoneline aims to support the mental health of those impacted by the spread of COVID-19 and add an additional layer of support for those in isolation. Call the COVID-19 support line on 1800 171 866.

As of 20 April 2020, two new bulk-billing incentive items have been introduced for services provided to patients who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 (for metro GPs new telehealth item #10981). For details see the FAQ here or MBS Website here. 

GP update from the Chief Medical Officer and Principal Medical Advisor - inlcudes update on bulk billing, clarification on point of care serology testing, free NBN upgrade for general practice, electronic prescribing and more.

Including updates on flu vaccinations, FAQs regarding telehealth, research highlight and promotion of available resources to support GPs. 

RNs interested in undertaking the training should visit medcast.com.au/surge-critical-care or contact Medcast on 1300 652 046.

Including discussion around expansion of Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for ALL Australians and extra incentives for GPs.

>> Factsheets for GPs, Nurses, Mental Health Providers and more
>> MBS Online News Page with tables of all items (updated 29 Mar)

Skylight Mental Health is offering the COVID-19 Mental Health Peer Support Line and Web Chat. Available for all South Australians from 5:00pm - 11:30pm, 7 days per week and is delivered by peers who have a mental health lived experience. Call COVID-19 Mental Health Peer Support Line on 1800 02 2020. Webchat at skylight.org.au/covid-19-support-line. Call or use webchat to request a video call.

In addition to other recent changes - now flexible arrangements under the PIP Teaching Payment Incentive and further clarification regarding the eHealth Incentive arrangements are included - details here. Eligible doctors are being granted a 6 month extension to 3GA workforce program placements expiring from 1 May 2020 - more info here.