Respiratory Clinic Information Pack

WQPHN Commonwealth Respiratory Clinics Information Pack

Background and Information

Primary Care - Respiratory Clinics

Up to 100 private practice respiratory clinics will be established to provide dedicated services to 

people with mild to moderate Respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms, in addition to services available within public hospitals and general practices.

Why is this important?

Respiratory clinics will reduce the risk of further transmission of COVID-19, help to optimise the use of available stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and help reduce the pressure on hospital emergency departments.

The clinics will be established in dedicated premises which meet clear criteria, with arrangements to safely manage infection control. They will complement efforts of state and territory clinics at public hospitals.

The clinics will be staffed by existing general practice doctors and nurses and will be funded to assess, test and diagnose respiratory cases, including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia.

The Primary Health Networks (PHNs) will work with the AMA and the RACGP to identify practices capable of managing the appropriate infection control arrangements, and willing to operate the clinics in a mix of urban, regional and rural settings.

Who benefits?

The clinics will reduce pressure on public hospitals and primary health providers, while also reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 across the whole community.

Patients with mild to moderate symptoms and are at a higher risk of exposure will be directed to the clinics in their state or territory by the triage hotline. PHNs will also coordinate with state and territory clinics, and the triage hotline, to ensure clinics are in the appropriate locations and patients are directed to the appropriate clinics.

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Caring for People with COVID-19:

WQ HealthPathways

National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce

High-priority, evidence-based clinical COVID-19 guidelines updated weekly with the latest research

Relevant Factsheets and Media Releases:

Media Release: COVID-19 Virus Response:  Maranoa General Practices establish respiratory clinics to combat virus.

Factsheet: Australian Government COVID-10 National Health Plan - Respiratory Clinics: Establishment of up to 100 private practice respiratory clinics for people with mild to moderate symtoms.

Infection Control information and guidelines

• RACGP COVID 19 infection-control principles
• RACGP Infection prevention and control standards

Other infection control information

• Marjen Infection Prevention and Control Education
• Information on the use of surgical masks 
• Correct use of PPE
• PPE Information for general practices
• Hand hygiene - Why, how and when

Please contact Rhonda Fleming or Natalie Kerrigan at WQPHN below to discuss other infection control education/resources:

Rhonda Fleming	Executive Manager	rhonda.fleming@wqphn.com.au	0459 590 201
Natalie Kerrigan	Program Manager	natalie.kerrigan@wqphn.com.au	0477 990 664

Other Sites:

Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National guidelines for public health units

WQPHN Respiratory Clinic Sites

St George Respiratory Clinic

Consumers

The Department of Health is funding up to 100 GP respiratory clinics to help protect Australians. If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19 you can contact a clinic to be assessed and get clinical advice.

The Australian Government is rapidly establishing GP respiratory clinics around the country to clinically assess people with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms (a fever, cough, shortness of breath, a sore throat and/or tiredness).

Find out below if there is a GP respiratory clinic in your state/territory and near your area and how to register for an appointment:  Find a Commonwealth Respiratory Clinic in your region here.

Help and assistance for Consumers

Healthdirect Australia has worked with the Department of Health to establish the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for non-clinical information about the COVID-19 to the public. The original healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 is to speak to a registered nurse who will triage callers with symptoms.  Due to unprecedented high number of callers to both lines, people can also find answers to common questions at the healthdirect website coronavirus hub.