COVID-19

The Department of Health (DoH) has a guidance document: Distribution of PPE through PHNs tranche 4: respirators for general practice, community pharmacy, and allied health, to reflect changes in advice on mask wearing in the context of increased community transmission of COVID-19.

Health providers are still encouraged to source PPE through their normal commercial means in the first instance, to conserve the National Medical Stockpile’s limited stock of PPE for front line health workers.

You can view previous versions of DoH’s Distribution of PPE through PHNs guidance below:

• 31 August 2020
• 11 May 2020
• 2 April 2020 
• 8 March 2020

DoH also has a dedicated page on Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health workforce during COVID-19. 

The RACGP has a suite of videos on the appropriate use of PPE and hand sanitiser to help protect yourself, practice staff and patients during COVID-19:

• Full Version- How to use PPE 
• Part 1 – How to sanitise your hands
• Part 2 – How to don PPE
• Part 3 – How to fit a P2/N95 mask
• Part 4 – How to remove and dispose of PPE

As a Primary Health Network (PHN), we need to use discretion when providing PPE to health care providers, including increased quantities where we deem appropriate, recognising that each provider’s needs will be on a case-by-case basis.

Surgical and P2 masks have been supplied in limited numbers to PHNs for distribution to general practice, pharmacy and health care staff who are exposed to at-risk customers.

• To register your request for surgical masks please complete our Mask Request Form. However, before submitting your request for masks, please refer to the PHN locator link to check if you are in the Western Sydney area. Any requests submitted outside our area will not be processed.
• Department of Health (DoH) has advised that stocks from the National Medical Stockpile are limited and masks should only be used in accordance with the guidance provided by The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
• DoH has provided the following useful resource about the use of face masks and respirators in the context of COVID-19.

Our Practice Development Officers have been coordinating the distribution of these masks, adhering to the DoH Distribution of PPE through PHNs guidance.

As per the DoH’s guidelines, we are prioritising dispatch to practices, pharmacies and above-mentioned health care service providers in Western Sydney who are:

• In these areas where there is a limited supply;
• Have a population that may be more likely to have been exposed to COVID-19; and/or
• Have unusual numbers of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.

Should you have any questions or inquiries, please contact our Helpdesk on 8811 7117.

Practices should refer to the NSW Health website for the latest COVID-19 clinics.

• Arrange telehealth assessment of patients with respiratory symptoms if they meet the Suspect Case Definition.
• Arrange further assessment and testing, either at your practice (noting the infection control requirements and you will need to organise specimen collection) a COVID-19 Pathology Collection Centre, GP-led Respiratory Clinic or COVID-19 Clinic. Visit our COVID-19 Testing Locations in Western Sydney webpage for locations, opening hours and referral requirements. 
• If you are notified of a positive COVID-19 test result, need advice, or have concerns about the ability of a patient to self-isolate, e.g. if they live in a residential facility, contact the Public Health Unit. In NSW calling 1300 066 055 will direct to your local Public Health Unit.

We have provided an adaptable Triage Guide for COVID-19 to suit your practice when triaging patients.

Translated COVID-19 Testing in Western Sydney Flyers

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) have created a COVID-19 Testing in Western Sydney flyer which is available in nine languages to help community members access important information regarding testing requirements and locations in our region.

This flyer is available in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Dari
• English
• Farsi
• Korean
• Simplified Chinese
• Traditional Chinese
• Turkish
• Vietnamese

Testing and Triage Resources

• Collection of nasal and throat swabs for respiratory virus testing – NSW Health
• COVID-19 Swab Collection: Upper respiratory specimen – Australian Government
• COVID-19 testing locations in Western Sydney fact sheet
• Responding to a COVID-19 case in the practice team – RACGP

• For details on recommended testing and infection control measures see the latest advice on keeping patients safe
• PPE and care of patients with or suspected of having COVID-19 factsheet – DoH
• Responding to a COVID-19 case in the practice team fact sheet from RACGP.
• How to put on and how to remove PPE – WHO
• Link to Infection control training video for health care workers
• Principles of Infection Prevention and Control – RACGP
• If you would like to order hand sanitiser available to GPs, allied health workers and medical specialists, download the form online

In a state-wide effort to provide primary care providers with consistent and up-to-date information and clinical guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Response Package consisting of a range of COVID-19 specific pathways are now available on Western Sydney HealthPathways. 

You can read more about this Response Package online or access these pathways directly in Western Sydney HealthPathways.

In an effort to help practices keep up-to-date with Government information and changes relating to COVID-19, we have created a Business Continuity for Practices webpage.

The webpage provides information on telehealth changes, preparing your practice and information and support for business continuity.

As our focus is to address the health and needs of the Western Sydney community, your mental health and wellbeing as primary health care professionals are just as important. We understand that you are usually on the frontline of social crises, such as bushfire disasters and pandemics, not only witnessing the physical health impacts but the emotional impacts of these events.

It is important that during this time of increased community anxiety that you remember to take care of yourself. Resources are available to support practices on our Business Continuity for Practices webpage. 

Health professionals involved in the care of people with a disability diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can call the COVID-19 Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service during the new operating times of 8am to 9pm (AEST) Monday to Friday on 1800 131 330.

Calls to the service are answered by health professionals with disability service qualifications and experience working with people with a disability.

Specific support may be required to address communication and management issues, such as behaviours of concern and the reduction of risk to the patient and staff involved in the process. healthdirect Australia has created a poster for GPs which you can display in your consultation rooms.

Find out more by visiting the healthdirect Australia website. 

What if your patient is an international student and has no Medicare?

Most people that are not eligible for Medicare will have health or travel insurance. For those that do not have adequate insurance coverage, NSW Health will waive these costs to help support international students. This includes the waiving of payment and debt recovery procedures for ambulance transfers of people suspected to have COVID-19 infection, who are taken to NSW Health facilities for assessment.

If your patient tests positive to COVID-19 and requires treatment, NSW Health will also waive these costs. This includes waiving payment and debt recovery procedures for people seeking treatment at NSW Health facilities.

These arrangements have been put in place to ensure payment issues are not a barrier for people from overseas with respiratory symptoms seeking early medical advice.

For more information on student support, visit the NSW Government website or call 1800 020 080.

• Translated resources – DoH
• Supporting the welfare of international students – Australia Government

Pen CS launched the COVID-19 National Guidance Topbar App. This app provides guidance, key links and resources for practitioners surrounding COVID-19. Practitioners have access to key information from the following organisations, straight from Topbar:

• Australian Government DoH
• World Health Organization
• RACGP
• State/Territories Departments of Health
• Primary Health Networks

The App is available to all Topbar users.

• Do not enter if you have symptoms: English – WSLHD
• Do not enter if you have symptoms: Arabic – WSLHD
• Do not enter if you have symptoms: Assyrian – WSLHD
• Tell staff immediately if… – NSW Health
• Who should get tested at COVID-19 clinics? – NSW Health
• Just got tested for COVID-19 QR code – NSW Health
• Stop the spread poster  – NSW Health
• Identifying symptoms – NSW Health
• Wear a mask – NSW Health

• Social distancing poster – DoH
• Keep that cough under cover – DoH
• Have you recently travelled overseas – DoH
• Temporary closure poster for businesses – DoH
• Simple steps to stop the spread – DoH

• Make mental health a priority – DoH
• Let’s Talk Mental Wellness Brochure – WSLHD

• Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for COVID-19 – DoH
• Youth Health COVID-19 Testing Message for Community Partners – WSLHD
• COVID-19 information for people with disability – NSW Health
• CDNA national guidelines for public health units – DoH
• Managing pandemics – RACGP

The latest NSW Health advice to residential aged care facilities and home care service providers updated on 1 February is available below:

• Advice to residential aged care facilities
• Advice to home care service providers