Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans and can be spread from person to person. COVID-19 is an evolving international health concern.
COVID-19 Information for our Health Professionals
We recommend health care professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest advice and information. As information changes we will update GPs as it becomes available.
COVID-19 Testing Centres
The Commonwealth are funding 100 GP-led Respiratory Clinics across the Nation to help take the pressure off local hospital emergency departments and relieve pressure on local general practices. These clinics can conduct COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia assessments, testing and patient follow-up.
We currently have three clinics in Western Sydney with more coming soon.
Find out more about clinic locations and hours by visiting our Local GP-led Respiratory Clinics webpage.
In the Western Sydney region, there are currently several COVID-19/Flu Clinics which are available to carry out both assessment and pathology collection for patients that may be suspected of having COVID-19.
Find out more about these clinics and how to refer a patient by visiting our Local COVID-19/Flu Clinics webpage.
There are a number of dedicated Pathology collections centres in Western Sydney and across NSW that have been specifically set up to test patients for COVID-19.
Find out more about these centres and how to refer a patient by visiting our Local COVID-19 Pathology Collection Centres webpage.
COVID-19 Telehealth
Temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) items will allow doctors, nurses and mental health professionals to deliver services via telehealth, provided those services are bulk billed.
From Monday 6 April it is a legislative requirement that the new telehealth services must be bulk billed for Commonwealth concession card holders, children under 16 years old and patients who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Health providers may apply their usual billing practices to the telehealth items for patients who do not fit the above criteria. Providers are expected to obtain informed financial consent from patients prior to providing the service; providing details regarding their fees, including any out-of-pocket costs.
A MBS Changes Factsheet is available that explains the latest changes to temporary MBS Telehhealth Services and Items. You can also find out more information on the MBS webpage.
To help keep GPs updated with these changes to telehealth we’ve created a COVID-19 MBS telehealth webpage that lists useful item numbers for your practice.
Healthdirect video call is a free, easy-to-use, trusted and reliable telehealth option for both GPs and patients to conduct video consultations. Download the New Organisation setup details online to get started.
Healthdirect video call service resources include:
- Healthdirect Videocall factsheet
- Customisable Video Call Patient Information Leaflet
- Video Call Clinician How To and Troubleshooting Guide
- Video Call Patient How To and Troubleshooting Guide
View this short video to learn more about the Healthdirect Video Call service
The RACGP have created resources to help GPs navigate these changes with the current COVID-19 situation. General practices are rapidly changing the way care is accessed and delivered to ensure the safety of their practice teams, patients and the broader community. One of these changes is increasing the ability for general practice consultations to be conducted via telehealth, these include:
- The Guide to providing telephone and video consultations in general practice will help general practices provide safe and effective video consultations.
- The Telephone and video consultations in general practice: Flowcharts provide practical steps to take in setting up your practice for telephone and video consultations.
APNA telehealth online training is now available for nurses interested in learning more about providing telehealth consults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This interactive module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to facilitate telehealth consults, within a primary health care setting.
In response to the rapid expansion of telehealth services, NBN Co have announced it is upgrading NBN speed for Australian GP clinics at no extra cost for a period of five months.
As an essential service, telehealth providers can also receive an enhanced fault rectification service that ensures faults are fixed within a specified timeframe. In addition, this comes with prioritised connections and fault resolutions case management through the NBN Co’s Business Operations Centre.
The provision of high speed broadband will allow practices around the country to deliver multiple telehealth consultations simultaneously and ensure your patients receive the care and treatment they need at this crucial time.
To access the upgrade, contact your internet provider. To find out more information visit NBN website.
As part of the National Health Plan, electronic prescribing has been fast tracked. Work to upgrade health care providers’ clinical software is under way and is expected to be ready by May 2020. A factsheet providing more information is available online.
The Department of Health have created some useful resources that provide information on issues such as PBS claiming arrangements, supply of medicine to patients, signing for receipts of a prescription, repeats and existing prescriptions.
Information for your Practice
- From 30 April, DoH’s guidance changed to allow PHNs to distribute masks to after-hours GP home visiting services, Medical Deputising Services (MDS), Allied Health services and Nurse Practitioner owned or led primary care practices in their area. Please read the updated Department of Health (DoH) Distribution of PPE through PHNs guidance (30 April 2020) for more information on these changes.
Surgical and P2 masks have been supplied in limited numbers to PHNs for distribution to general practice, pharmacy and above-mentioned health care service 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.
- 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).
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 department’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 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.
You can view previous versions of DoH’s Distribution of PPE through PHNs guidance below:
Practices should refer the NSW Health website for the latest COVID-19 testing advice for health professionals.
- 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 pathology collection centre, coronavirus clinic, respiratory clinic or refer to your local emergency department.
- 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 patient.
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:
- For detail on recommended testing and infection control measures see the latest advice on keeping patients safe
- Downloadable fact sheet from Australian Department of Health PPE and care of patients with or suspected of having COVID-19
- 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
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.
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.
- Let’s Talk Mental Wellness Brochure – WSLHD
- COVID-19 and your asthma patients – NAC
- Supporting the welfare of international students – Australia Government
As our focus is to address the health and needs of the Western Sydney community, your mental health and well-being as primary health care professionals are just as important. We understand that you are usually on the frontline of social crises, such as bushfire disaster and pandemic, 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.
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 test positive to COVID-19 and require 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 NSW Government website or call 1800 020 080.
COVID-19 Training and Education
Health care professionals can register to our upcoming training and education regarding COVID-19:
- Telehealth for Specialists and Practice Managers Part 1 – Wednesday 3 June
- National Asthma Council Webinar Series: Asthma Update in 2020 – Tuesday 9 June
- Triage Training Webinar – Tuesday 16 June
- National Asthma Council Webinar Series: Asthma Medications and Devices – Tuesday 23 June
Upcoming external training and education:
- Health Literacy Seminar 2: Telehealth – Tuesday 9 June
- RACGP and NSW Health COVID-19 Update – Thursday 11 June
The DoH are hosting a series of webinars for primary care practitioners working on the national COVID-19 response. For more information on upcoming webinars and previous recordings, visit the website.
The RACGP has an ongoing series of COVID-19 podcasts (under webinars, podcasts and education) to assist you with the latest information. Most of them are 5–10 minutes long, you can listen to them anytime. Recently, the Just a GP hosts spoke to two GPs in Western Sydney, Dr Kean-Seng Lim and WentWest Board member, Dr Wally Jammal, about telehealth changes due to COVID-19.
These episodes are:
- How we do it, features Dr Wally Jammal and discusses how GP’s can use telehealth to adapt to the COVID pandemic.
- Telehealth good for now, but not forever, features Dr Kean-Seng Lim and discusses where telehealth fits in the broader scheme of general practice.
The Western Sydney Local Health District have also launched their very own podcast called Western Sydney Health Check. The first episode explores their organisation’s response to COVID-19, featuring Chief Executive Graeme Loy.
The Department of Health is encouraging care workers across the primary care sector, including general practice, pharmacy, allied health, Aboriginal Health Workers and other primary care workers to attend the free COVID-19 – Infection Control Online Training Module.
This module covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control topics including:
- COVID-19 – what is it?
- signs and symptoms
- protecting yourself and others and
- myth Busting
The module takes approximately 30 minutes.
NSW Health together with the RACGP have provided webinar updates on the outbreak of COVID-19 for GPs.
Recordings of previous webinars can be found below:
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Wednesday 27 May
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Monday 27 April
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Thursday 16 April
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Tuesday 31 March
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Wednesday 18 March
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Thursday 5 March
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Thursday 20 February
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Tuesday 11 February
- COVID-19 webinar update for GPs – Tuesday 4 February
Questions and answers from these sessions are also available online.
Employment Impact in Private Practice during COVID-19 with Q&A webinar – HotDoc, Wednesday 8 April
Resources available
- COVID-19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flyer – WSPHN
- Social distancing poster – DoH
- Keep that cough undercover poster – DoH
- Have you recently travelled overseas – DoH
- Temporary closure poster for businesses – DoH
- Simple steps to stop the spread – DoH
- Translated resources – DoH
- Make mental health a priority – DoH
- COVID-19 resources for health care professionals – DoH
- Patient waiting rooms – NSW Health
- Identifying the symptoms – NSW Health
- Stop the Spread poster – NSW Health
- NSW Health other posters – NSW Health
- Coronavirus video – Social distancing -DoH
- Coronavirus video – Stay Informed -DoH
- Coronavirus video – Help Stop The Spread – DoH
- Department of Health other videos
- What should I do – Dr Yeqin Zuo: in English or Chinese – NSW Health
- Symptoms – Dr Yeqin Zuo: in English or Chinese – NSW Health
- Seek medical advice – Dr Yeqin Zuo: in English or Chinese – NSW Health
- NSW Health other videos
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – frequently asked questions – DoH
- What you need to know – DoH
- Find the facts – NSW Health
- Frequently asked questions – NSW Health
Also available in: - Dementia Help Sheets to navigate coronavirus COVID-19
NSW Health, The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Department of Health and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation have developed a range of COVID-19 resources for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community below:
- COVID-19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flyer – WSPHN
- Just Got Tested For COVID-19? – WSLHD
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Pandemic Response Toolkit
- Seasonal Influenza Preparedness Toolkit for NSW ACCHSs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 Communiques – DoH
- Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for COVID-19 – DoH
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Coronavirus updates
- New laws impact public gatherings, including funerals and Sorry Business – NSW Health
- Keeping our Communities Healthy Sorry Business and COVID-19 – NSW Health
- COVID-19 Mental Health Resources – Gayaa Dhuwi
- Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders – DoH
Key Sources
COVID-19 is an evolving international health concern. We are publishing regular updates on this page, but encourage health professionals to also view the latest advice and information from NSW Health, DoH and the RACGP, as well as current clinical guidance from our HealthPathways’ website.
COVID-19 Information for Our Community
To help you keep up-to-date with the latest advice about COVID-19, we’ve sourced a range of information and resources for you and your family.
What you Need to Know
- Frequently Asked Questions – NSW Health
- What you need to know about Coronavirus – DoH
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert – DoH
- How to avoid infection and spreading of COVID-19 – healthdirect
- Information on social distancing – DoH
- Information for people with a suspected case of COVID-19 – DoH
- Information about home isolation when unwell (suspected or confirmed cases) – DoH
- Information for people who have been in close contact with a confirmed case – DoH
As COVID-19 continually evolves, we will be providing information from NSW Government and other health organisations on restrictions, guidelines and advice, to ensure you and your family are informed with the latest updates.
A series of videos about Home-isolation during COVID-19 have been provided from the Western Sydney Local Health District to help support you and your family with coping COVID-19 during the time. Each video will touch on mental health and productivity, fitness and exercising and the importance of keeping you and your family safe, healthy and connected when isolating from home.
For more information visit NSW Health website or contact National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.
- Message for Pregnant Women and Families – RANZCOG
- Supports to help expecting and new parents anxious about coronavirus – Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia
- COVID-19 Family Guide – Raising Children Network
- COVID-19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flyer – WSPHN
- Just Got Tested For COVID-19? Information for the Aboriginal community
- Coronavirus resources for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
- Keeping our Communities Healthy: Protect community and Elders
- Keeping our Communities Healthy: New laws impact public gathering, including funerals and Sorry Business
- Keeping our Communities Healthy brochure
- Preventing Coronavirus Outbreak in Aboriginal Communities
- COVID-19 Mental Health Resources – Gayaa Dhuwi
- Influenza Vaccination During COVID-19 – NCIRS
A series of videos have been provided from WSLHD to support the Aboriginal community with understanding COVID-19 information.
What if I don’t have Medicare?
Students 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.
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.
If you test positive to COVID-19 and require treatment, NSW Health will also waive these costs. This includes waiving payment and debt recovery procedures for people seeking treatment at NSW Health facilities.
For more information on student support visit NSW Government website or call Study Australia Partners on 1300 981 621.
Where to Seek Health Advice
If you’re feeling unwell and are unsure whether to see your doctor or manage your symptoms at home, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or:
- Call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for people with questions regarding prevention and the spread of COVID-19
- Call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse who can provide advice when you’re not sure what to do — whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The healthdirect website includes the following information and tools:
- Specific information on the new COVID-19, including symptoms, spread, rate of infection, diagnosis and treatment.
- healthdirect blog “FAQs about the COVID-19 outbreak” – can be shared on your social media, will be updated as required.
- healthdirect Symptom Checker guides you to the appropriate healthcare action and updated with information on COVID-19. This is also available on the healthdirect app.
- healthdirect provides information on isolation and how to self-isolate during COVID-19.
Official app
The Australian Government has released an official app with the information you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19).
You can download the Coronavirus Australia app and the COVIDSafe app to help protect you and your family.
Official WhatsApp channel
The Australian Government has started an official WhatsApp channel with the information you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Message +61 400 253 787 or go to aus.gov.au/whatsapp in your web browser to get coronavirus information you can trust from the official Australian Government chatbot.
WhatsApp is available from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Telehealth is a secure and easy way to connect with a health professional through phone consultation and/or video conferencing. It offers benefits for patients, health care workers and the health system through improved access, availability, and efficiency of quality health care. Telehealth consultations are bulk billed to Medicare which contributes to providing efficient and effective quality care that works with but does not replace face-to-face consultation. Telehealth helps to remove the stress of living well by using technology we have in our everyday lives, to help us look after our health more easily.
How to book an appointment?
If you are interested in booking a telehealth appointment, contact your local health service or general practice. For more information you can contact Telehealth Helpline on 6325 0860.
As part of the National Health Plan, information and resources about telehealth have been provided to help you and your family receive the right health care.
COVID-19 Testing Centres
Three GP-led COVID-19 Respiratory Clinics have opened in Western Sydney. These clinics will assess people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, tiredness, shortness of breath and meet the current testing criteria.
Find out more about clinic locations and hours by visiting our Local GP-led Respiratory Clinics webpage.
There are a number of dedicated Pathology collections centres in Western Sydney and across NSW that have been specifically set up to test patients for COVID-19. Generally you will be tested if you develop fever or respiratory symptoms or meet at least one the following criteria:
- have returned from overseas in the past 14 days
- been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days
- travelled on a cruise ship (either passenger or crew) in the 14 days before developing symptoms
- lived in an area where there is a higher risk of community transmission, as defined by the local public health unit
To find out more about these centres visit our Local COVID-19 Pathology Collection Centres webpage or contact National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080
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:
Mental Health Support
During this time we encourage you to reach out to the supports available to you.
A comprehensive list of mental health support and resources created by NSW Health is available online.
Beyond Blue have developed a number of resources and supports to assist people throughout this challenging time, including:
- A dedicated COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Support Service page
- ‘Coping with the Coronavirus’ online forum
- Practical tips and advice about managing feelings of uncertainty, stress and anxiety associated with the outbreak, and links to several reliable information sources
The National Mental Health Commission’s #InThisTogether campaign has launched to support all Australian’s mental health and wellbeing during these times.
- Let’s Talk Mental Wellness – WSLHD
- Coping during COVID-19 – ReachOut
- Supporting the mental health of Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic – DoH
- COVID-19 Support – Head to Health
- COVID-19 Mental Health Resources – Gayaa Dhuwi
Mental health support Helplines
- Beyond Blue: COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Support Service – 1800 512 348
- Lifeline -13 11 14 (crisis support)
- MensLine – 1300 78 99 78 (support for men)
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (5-25 year olds)
- QLife – 1800 184 527 (LGBTIQ+ communities)
Community Support
Youth Health in Western Sydney Local Health District is providing flu vaccinations and COVID-19 testing for homeless young people who show symptoms of COVID-19. This service is extended to young people living in the same refuge or accommodation service, even if they do not show symptoms.
For more information and to book an appointment contact High Street Youth Health Service on 8860 2500 or Western Area Adolescent team in Mount Druitt on 9881 1230.
The NSW government and food bank and the Rapid Relief Team are working together to deliver emergency relief packages and food boxes to people in need.
Food Bank Emergency Relief packages
Emergency relief packages are available for people who have been directed by NSW Health to self-isolate, and who:
- Can’t or are genuinely struggling to afford food and groceries
- Have no family or friends able to help them with shopping
- Have no access to delivery services.
The packages contain two weeks of food and personal care items, such as:
- pasta
- long life milk
- canned vegetables
- toilet paper
Rapid Relief Team (RRT) food box
The Rapid Relief Team food boxes are available for people who are in self-quarantine due to their vulnerability and who:
- Have lost income or their job, or are on a low income such as a pensioner
- Have little or no support from friends or relatives
- Are struggling with meeting their cost of living bills
- Are unable to access delivery services
If you or someone you know is in need, please contact Services NSW on 13 77 88.
- COVID-19 and heart disease – Heart Foundation
- Dementia Help Sheets to navigate COVID-19 – Dementia Australia
Key Sources
In the past few months, we have experienced national hardships and with COVID-19 evolving, we understand that this time can be overwhelming and difficult for you and your family. Official Government website’s have created information that will inform you on how to keep healthy during this time. To keep up-to-date with the latest information, click on the following links below:
Information on this page is correct as of 11:00am AEST Tuesday 2 June 2020.