Coronavirus updates - 30 March 2020
The challenge of fighting the coronavirus - and the condition it causes, COVID-19 - continues to get more important. Likewise, we are continuing to evolve the way we care for you.
Telehealth
All doctor consultations now will be initially via telephone or video. The Australian government has recently funded telehealth to all Australians during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
With this funding, we can provide a clinic environment that remains a safe place for you to visit, if needed. Because we must protect both patients and doctors from being inadvertently exposed to coronavirus, you cannot come into our clinic physically unless your doctor feels a face-to-face consultation is warranted and booked during your initial telehealth consultation.
Online bookings for telehealth consultations are available to you; however, ALL face-to-face consultations can now only be booked by one of our doctors or nurses.
Our new Respiratory Symptom Clinic
There have been many physical and procedural changes at the clinic, but the largest is the tent in the carpark! This is the site of our provisional Respiratory Symptom Clinic.
If you have ANY respiratory symptoms and we ask you to come in for a consultation, you will be seen in this clinic. You will not enter the practice. This compartmentalisation will help minimise the spread of the virus.
Our Respiratory Symptom Clinic is not a Government-funded ‘Fever Clinic’. It is a necessary part of our own work to protect our staff, patients and community alike.
Special mention must go to Events in Tents for their incredible response in having the Respiratory Symptom Clinic set up in less than 24 hours after we called for help.
Regular health care remains important
Even with all this happening, remember that your general health is not on holiday. Staying in tip-top health is even more of a priority during a pandemic.
Our practice is still committed to giving you high-quality family medicine, just as we have done every day since seeing our first patient in 1923.
Regular vaccinations, childhood health checks, antenatal care, family planning, diabetes checks, GP Management Care Plans and Veterans Affairs services - all will continue to be available.
Mental health
Mental health becomes a higher priority than ever during confronting times. If you’re feeling symptoms of anxiety, depression, distress or another mental health worry please make a telehealth appointment with us. Mental health consultations and Mental Health Care Plans are available via telehealth.
Other avenues for mental health assistance include:
Australian Government Head to Health - COVID-19 Support
Mindspot - Resources for coronavirus
Beyond Blue - Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Lifeline - call: 13 11 14
Influenza vaccinations
Now is the time to get your influenza vaccination. Both the Over-65 and the regular quadrivalent Influenza vaccinations are available now.
In 2020, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommends you get the flu vaccination early and get a booster 4 months later.
This will decrease the amount of influenza affecting patients in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please call us on 07 3399 5444 for booking options, including utilising our Flu Clinics.
The Hawthorne Clinic Community
Thank you! We’ve been overwhelmed with the response from our patients during the past few months.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we negotiate the everchanging health care landscape.
Thank you for your kind words and gestures of support in these trying times.
Stay in the loop
Both the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response of the Australian Government is continually changing.
We’re working closely with Brisbane South PHN, RACGP and Queensland Health to stay up to date with all changes. We’ll continue to update our website with any significant changes.
Keep yourself updated via the Queensland Government Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)- Health Alerts, or call the National Coronavirus Hotline 1800 020 080 for advice and information.
The Australian Government has also just released a useful app giving all the up-to-date info – just search ‘Coronavirus’ wherever you get your apps.
