COVID-19 Resources for Practices

With COVID-19 numbers rising in Western Sydney, we recognise the essential work of primary care professionals in successfully delivering the vaccine rollout, stopping the spread of COVID-19, and protecting our community. The following resources are designed to help your practice deliver safe, quality care to your patients and staff during these challenging times.

 

Access to PPE

To keep primary care sector staff safe during the pandemic, the Department of Health has provided us 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. Due to high demand and limited quantities, only one PPE order per practice per month can be fulfilled. To request a PPE pack for your practice, the Practice Manager or Principal GP should complete the online form.

Posters

Clear messaging is one of the most effective ways of keeping patients safe when visiting your practice and we’ve provided some posters for your practice:

Additional posters in multiple languages can be found on the NSW Health website.

Managing COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy

Conflicting messages in the press and changes to vaccination eligibility, timelines and recommendations, have created undue anxieties for our community around the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. As always, please refer patients to information from the Department of Health or NSW Health as a source of truth. The following resources may be useful for GPs to help patients make informed decisions about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine:

 

COVID-19 HealthPathways

A range of COVID-19 pathways are available on Western Sydney HealthPathways. These resources have been developed in a state-wide effort to provide primary care with consistent and up-to-date information and clinical guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic. Available pathways include:

 

Wellbeing Resources for Health Professionals

As restrictions in Western Sydney continue, primary care workers are managing the expectations of patients on top of the day-to-day struggles of lockdown. To keep you and your staff healthy during the pandemic, we have extended our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to general practices across Western Sydney who do not currently have an EAP. WentWest partner 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 to express your interest.

The Black Dog Institute has also created dedicated COVID-19 resources for health professionals and regularly updates its COVID-19 resources for anxiety and stress.

The Essential Network for Health Professionals (TEN), which was designed by health professionals for health professionals, also provides mental health resources and confidential support, all of which can be accessed anonymously.

Targeted Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources

Multiple factors are affecting people’s mental health during the pandemic, with many facing additional strains due to financial uncertainty, changes to childcare, isolation, loss of control and mixed messaging in the media. The following resources provide a holistic approach to supporting the health of staff and patients.

 

Staying Connected in Isolation

Extended lockdowns and a lack of regular face-to-face interaction has left many people feeling isolated and at risk of depression and other mental health issues. Older Australians who are living alone may require additional support services to help them stay connected:

 

Coping with Uncertainty

Learning to live with uncertainty is one of the most significant adjustments to surviving in a pandemic, and everyone has varying levels of tolerance to managing the unknown. Taking control over the small things and building structure in our day to day lives can help many people regain a sense of stability and lessen anxiety. Blocking in time for wellbeing is also vital for those who are juggling working from home, homeschooling, and staying connected.

 

Resources for Families

Changes to childcare, homeschooling whilst working from home, and explaining the COVID-19 virus to children can cause enormous pressures for parents during lockdown. The following resources and apps aim to help parents during this time:

 

Financial Help During COVID-19

Financial stress is one of the leading causes of diminished mental health during the pandemic. Many patients may be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment if they can’t work due to the lockdown. People who are unable to work because they are in isolation, quarantine, or caring for someone with COVID-19 can also apply for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.

Financial support information in multiple languages is available through the Centrelink website.

The WentWest PDT, Helpdesk and Vaccine Support Team are here to help if your practice requires additional support. Please reach out to your Practice Coordinator or Facilitator, or COVIDvaccination@wentwest.com.au.

More resources are available on the WentWest COVID-19 webpage.

 

This information is correct as of 31 March 2022.

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