A COVID-19 respiratory clinic has opened in Kempsey today as part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health package to respond to the virus.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said this was a great development as the clinic at the Tristar Medical Clinic in 35 Belgrave Street, Kempsey, would assist the community’s path back by giving residents a second place to get tested for free.
“Our community has done a terrific job of slowing the spread of coronavirus and I thank residents for adhering to the social distancing restrictions in place to achieve this,” he said.
“We now have an important second tool in our kit to combat COVID-19 and that is a respiratory clinic in Kempsey delivered through Federal Government funding.
“Led by local nurse Cameron McMillan and staff already known to many in the local community, it will be an easy, welcoming place for residents with mild to moderate symptoms to come and get tested.
“The fever clinic at Kempsey Base Hospital will remain; this clinic simply gives residents with mild symptoms a place in which to be tested for COVID-19 for free.
“And the more residents that get tested, the better we will be able to identify people with the disease and who they have been in contact with through the COVID-Safe app and get life gradually back to normal.”
The Federal Government has invested $206.7 million nationally for the respiratory clinics. Each clinic is given block funding to help it set up and services are provided for free to patients.
North Coast Primary Health Network CEO Julie Sturgess said the six Federal Government-funded respiratory clinics established throughout the North Coast complemented the NSW Health fever clinics set up at hospitals.
“Having this respiratory clinic at Kempsey will provide the opportunity for people to undergo assessment and testing in a safe environment, close to home and will protect our most vulnerable community members,” Ms Sturgess said.
“Respiratory clinics in our PHN area are now open in Nambucca Heads, Kempsey, Wauchope, Yamba, Ballina and Murwillumbah.
“I encourage anyone in our community experiencing mild-to-moderate symptoms to go online to www.health.gov.au and use the online booking system to make an appointment.”
Tristar Medical Group’s Nurse Educator Cameron McMillan said having a local GP-led respiratory clinic would give the local community great peace of mind during this unprecedented time.
“People showing mild to moderate respiratory symptoms – a cough or sore throat – will be able to come and be tested without concern of infecting others as the clinic has been set up to meet the highest standard of infection prevention and control,” he said.
“Results of those community members who have been tested, will be contacted, along with their local GP by the clinic with results. This is expected to be within 24 to 36 hours of the test being performed.”
Before presenting to the Tristar Medical Clinic for testing, it is important residents first either book online at www.health.gov.au or call the clinic on 1300 170 901.
In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, it is important people attend the clinic only at the time of their booking so that social distancing can be maintained. The clinic requests that people wait in their car in the IGA car park until they are contacted on their mobile phone to present to the clinic for their appointment.
BACKGROUND:
• People with severe symptoms should call 000 and/or attend the nearest hospital emergency department.
• People will be assessed by a GP or a nurse under the supervision of a GP and have a specimen taken for pathology testing if that is indicated.
• Regardless of whether a test is undertaken, the person will receive clinical advice on how to manage their symptoms and an initial follow-up phone call or text message with test results and to check on how they are going.
• After people have visited the clinic, they will remain eligible to continue to consult their regular GP using the MBS telehealth items.
