As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Western Sydney, more of our general practices are faced with the challenge of caring for COVID-19 positive patients. As of 22nd August 8pm, Cumberland is our most affected LGA, with 1,810 COVID-19 cases, followed by Blacktown with 1,297, Parramatta with 382 and 88 in the Hills district. 145 patients are being cared for in hospital, and over 1,000 cases are being managed under the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Care in the Community model.
What is the WSLHD Care in the Community model?
When COVID-19 positive test results are reported to the Public Health Unit (PHU), the relevant patients are then contacted and contact tracing begins. The PHU then informs the WSLHD Integrated Care and Community Health (ICH) Team who conduct a risk assessment of patients to triage them through appropriate care pathways. Low-risk patients are referred to a monitoring program under a Care in the Community model. This could include being monitored by the WSLHD ICH Team themselves, a team from another LHD who are supporting capacity efforts in affected regions, or a Medibank Private Team. Under the new updated Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) guidelines, all COVID-19 positive households receive a pulse oximeter to help monitor symptoms. The ICH Team also offer patients referrals to other support services such as mental health and social care.
Managing patients that haven’t progressed through the Care in the Community model
GPs who are managing patients that have not progressed through the ICH pathway, should refer patients by contacting the In-Touch COVID Care Team on 1800 022 222, or WSLHD-ICH-ICCP-COVID19@health.nsw.gov.au. Please use the In-Touch COVID Care referral form.
Mobile, at-home testing is also now available for patients unable to go to a testing clinic. You can help arrange COVID-19 home testing for your patients by calling 1800 843 434.
Managing Practice Exposure to COVID-19
A new WentWest GP COVID Liaison Team has been established to support practices. The team, composed of two registered nurses and a Practice Development Team member, will act as a conduit between the PHU and general practices. The team can provide advice on practice preparedness, infection control, and testing.
A Health Care Worker COVID-19 Exposure Risk Assessment Matrix has been developed by NSW Health to calculate the risk to practice staff based on the type of contact with a COVID-19 positive patient and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) measures taken.
The best health advice is to take all precautions to protect yourself and your staff against COVID-19 by wearing appropriate surgical masks and eye protection. Please refer to the COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Manual for further information.
To keep primary care sector staff safe during the pandemic, the Department of Health has provided WentWest with additional PPE to distribute to general practices, allied health professionals and pharmacies in our region. All PPE packs include N95 and surgical masks, gloves, goggles and gowns. Practices are still encouraged to continue sourcing their main PPE supply from their medical supplier. To request a PPE pack for your practice, the Practice Manager or Principal GP should complete an online PPE request form.
HealthPathways Resources for managing COVID-19 positive patients
HealthPathways has up-to-date clinical information on the latest advice for assessing and managing COVID-19 positive patients. This includes information on initial assessments, MBS items, referral pathways, vaccination processes and the latest ACI updates. It also provides guidance on the appropriate pathways for practice patients who test positive for COVID-19 dependent on social risk factors and symptom severity.
To access HealthPathways, you will need the general login details. For more information, please contact our HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au
For WSLHD and SCHN Staff, please access HealthPathways via the WSLHD/SCHN Intranet Applications page.
Supporting Practice Staff
Employee Assistance Program for General Practice Staff
GPs in Western Sydney are juggling care for COVID-19 positive patients and the COVID-19 vaccination rollout on top of providing routine, quality care to patients in a COVID-safe way. The mental health of the Western Sydney primary care workforce is a high priority for WentWest. To keep practice staff healthy during the pandemic, we have extended our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to general practices across Western Sydney that do not currently have an EAP. WentWest partners with Benestar, who aim to mitigate and manage individual health and organisational risk through a tailored, proactive, and compassionate approach. To access this service, please email COVIDvaccination@wentwest.com.au or call (02) 8811 7117.
Practice Development Team
The WentWest Practice Development Team are concentrating their efforts on conducting COVID-19 pulse checks with general practices to provide the best possible support during the current outbreak. If you require additional assistance, please reach out to your PDT Coordinator.
Important Resources
- In-Touch COVID Care team referral form for COVID-19 positive patients
- COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Manual
- Health Care Worker COVID-19 Exposure Risk Assessment Matrix
- HealthPathways COVID-19 package
On Tuesday 24th August 2021, the WentWest team hosted a webinar on Managing COVID-19 positive patients targeting GPs in the Western Sydney area. The webinar was presented by Ray Messom, WentWest CEO, Dr Michael Fasher, WentWest Clinical Director, Jane Assange, WentWest Director of Transformation and Integration, and Scott Walters, WentWest Senior Manager of Partnerships and PCCG. To access the webinar recording, please contact COVIDvaccination@wentwest.com.au
This information is correct as of 26 August 2021.