COVID-19 - Information for health professionals
Key reminders for general practice
- Check the DHHS novel coronavirus information page regularly for updates about the novel coronavirus.
- Need advice on using PPE? Videos available on the RACGP's website.
- Sign-up to receive DHHS health alerts and advisories here .
- Sign-up to receive SEMPHN’s COVID-19 email here.
- GP management of COVID Positive patients Pathway here (updated 2 December)
- Check out our new webpage General Practice Planning for Potential Outbreaks
COVID-19 case numbers
Please note, DHHS data is updated at the end of each day. SEMPHN endeavors to provide general practices with the latest COVID-19 updates as soon as it becomes available.
14 January 2021:
- Victoria has recorded 0 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) since yesterday. This is the eighth consecutive day where Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases reported in Victoria is now 20,412 including those in hotel quarantine.
- There were no new deaths and the state’s death toll stands at 820.
- There are 29 active cases in Victoria, this includes 14 local cases and 15 in hotel quarantine, 19,563 people have recovered.
- A total of 4,211,148 test results have been received. This is an increase of 16,533 since yesterday
- The DHHS website has full details in the interactive daily report.
- For comprehensive updates on case numbers, restrictions and clinical guidance, please refer to the DHHS website.
- COVIDSafe Summer restrictions have come into effect. Read the COVIDSafe Summer restrictions summary.
- Read the full health alert.
Advice for clinicians
- Clinicians should be asking patients if they are from or if they have been in New South Wales or Queensland and if so, to check the areas of risk defined by the NSW Government and QLD Government and recommended actions.
- Clinical guidelines are found on the COVID-19 evidence website.
- Statement on Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) diagnosis in symptomatic persons.
- Notifications to the department of a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be done online. You can submit an online form to the DHHS public health team, rather than calling, saving you time and resolving your case load more efficiently.
- The department is continuing to ask commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19). If commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers do not have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they will not have to stay home to wait for their test results. Commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers will need to tell staff at the testing centre/site that they work in the industry.
- Visit DHHS' Information for health services and professionals page to read more on COVID-19 and which resources are available
- A list of current locations with an interactive map is available on the where to get tested website page.
Businesses must have a COVID Safe Plan in place
- To view the COVID Safe Plan requirements visit the Business Victoria website.
- Download the official COVID Safe Plan template (downloads as Word document).
- View a COVID Safe Plan example (downloads as Word document). Please note, each business must fill in the COVID safe plan template specific to their business.
COVID-19 Clinical Guidance and Pathway
- GP management of COVID Positive Patients Pathway. This pathway guides how GPs work with their patients and their local hospital network.
- Clinical guidelines are found on the COVID-19 evidence website.
You can also access recordings of our two webinars about the COVID Positive Patients Pathway:
1. Alfred Hospital: Managing COVID Positive Patients Within the Pathway Model, 30 September, 2020
Meeting Recording: Access Passcode: T#5cH@$x
2. Monash Hospital: Managing COVID Positive Patients Within the Pathway Model, 11 November, 2020
Meeting Recording: Access Passcode: VIY0xuR=
COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinics
SEMPHN is working with health services across south eastern Melbourne to provide access to Commonwealth-funded COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinics.
Pathway
- Victorians are encouraged to use Health Direct’s symptom checker if they are feeling unwell. If patients are experiencing difficulty breathing, call triple zero (000).
- After identifying symptoms, Victorians should get tested at a nearby testing location (this may include a COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinic).
- After testing, they must stay home and isolate until they receive test results. If they test negative they can continue their regular activity following the local restrictions in place. If they test positive for COVID-19 they must self-isolate until they receive clearance from the DHHS.
COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinics available in south eastern Melbourne
| Clinic | Address | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
|
Star Health |
Prahran Town Hall, 255A Chapel St, Prahran |
Contact: 03 9525 1300 |
| Carrum Downs Medical Centre | 113b Hall Road, Carrum Downs |
Contact: 03 9782 6088 |
| Rosebud Skin Cancer Centre | 1079 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud | Contact: 0436 033 507 Website: https://www.rosebudskincancercentre.com.au/ |
| Port Melbourne Medical Centre | Shop 1/405 Bay St, Port Melbourne |
Contact: 8686 0500 |
Appointments
- Patients should book ahead for an appointment at the COVID-19 GP Respiratory Clinics. This helps the clinics maintain the standards for physical distancing.
- Patients do not need a referral from their GP to book an appointment at one of these clinics.
- Appointments are available on weekends.
- Appointments are booked here.
PPE requests
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be requested when a practice, pharmacy or clinic is unable to secure commercial supply for their team and are delivering face to face care.
Please refer to the DOH guidance on supply of PPE:
- PHN distributed PPE for health professionals here
- Addendum relating to PHN distributed eye protection here
- Addendum relating to PHN distributed gowns here
- Cleaning and disinfecting reusable eye protection here.
- Please utilise in line with current DHHS guidance found here
General Practices and ACCHOs which are NOT testing for COVID-19
Please use this link: General Practice/ACCHO PPE
- Level 1 surgical masks to work with at-risk or COVID-19 community members
- P2/N95 masks are now in stock. PHNs are asked to conserve stocks of P2/N95 respirators as far as possible. They are only required for aerosol-generating procedures.
- Goggles (protective eyewear) are currently available. Please request up to 30 depending on the size of your practice.
General Practices and ACCHOs which are TESTING for COVID-19
Please use this link: COVID-19 testing General Practice/ACCHO
- Level 1 surgical masks to work with at-risk or COVID-19 community members
- Level 2/3 surgical masks for COVID-19 testing.
- P2/N95 masks. PHNs are asked to conserve stocks of P2/N95 respirators as far as possible. They are only required for aerosol-generating procedures and respiratory assessments.
- Goggles (protective eyewear) are currently available. Please request up to 30 depending on the size of your practice.
- Gowns are currently available (only to be used when COVID testing)
Community pharmacies
Please use this link: Pharmacy masks requests
- Level 1 surgical masks to work with at-risk or COVID-19 community members (NOT for commercial resale).
Nurse Practitioner Practices and Allied Health
Please use this link: Nurse Practitioner Allied Health PPE request
- Level 1 Surgical masks to work with at-risk or COVID-19 community members.
- Goggles (protective eyewear) are currently available. Please request up to 20 depending on the size of your practice
Residential Aged Care Facilities
Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) requiring PPE can request by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Department of Health will give priority where there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19.
NDIS providers
NDIS and disability support providers who are unable to obtain masks can submit a request by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more detail on how to apply and COVID-19 training see Department of Health advice here.
Community services
Organisations in need of face masks to continue providing vital community services, please complete the State Government's request for PPE form online.
PPE suppliers
Find local suppliers of PPE who can meet your business needs.
Disclaimer:
These businesses are not affiliated with South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). Please contact these businesses directly for more information. SEMPHN cannot answer any questions related to these suppliers. SEMPHN cannot guarantee the quality of the PPE supplied by these vendors. SEMPHN is not obligated to include any businesses in this list.
Access & Referral arrangements during COVID-19
As our Access & Referral team and providers adjust to new working environments, some organisations have advised they are experiencing issues with faxing referrals to A&R. A new process has therefore been established that will facilitate a secure upload of referrals online.
Ways you can refer to SEMPHN services:
- Telephone: 1800 862 363 (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays)
- Fax: 1300 354 053
- Upload: Securely upload a referral form online
Visit our Access and Referral page for more information.
MBS COVID-19 Telehealth items
Visit mbsonline.gov.au for a summary of the changes and a list of item numbers.
Our telehealth HealthVitalIT article lists the items and requirements (see the COVID19 section). We are continually updating this article to add practical advice for remote consultations, so it's a good idea to bookmark the page and check for updates every now and then. There are lots of useful tips in here.
If you're using the bulk billed MBS telehealth items you can access HealthDirect's VideoCall platform for free via SEMPHN. For more information, see our Telehealth page.
Infection control training
COVID-19 infection control online training is available for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19.
Modules available include:
- infection prevention and control for COVID-19
- training for aged care workers
- training focused on rural and remote communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Register here.
National COVID-19 MATOD guidance now available
Interim Guidance for the delivery of medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence in response to COVID-19: a national response is now available to assist clinicians in ensuring continuity of medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence (also known as MATOD, or opioid pharmacotherapy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance demonstrates how clinicians can adapt treatment during this time and is intended to be read alongside state and territory guidance issued in response to COVID-19.
It recognises that many jurisdictions are at different stages of response, and also that many of the communications from government authorities relate to regulatory or guideline changes, rather than focussing on aspects of clinical care. Victorian guidance is available here.
Aged care sector and COVID-19
Visit the DHHS’ page on Coronavirus and Residential Aged Care Facilities Plan for Victoria to read the latest guidelines for this sector.
The page includes:
- Guidelines
- Training on PPE and infection control for aged care workers
- Resources
Resources
- Evidence-based COVID-19 clinical guidance is available here.
- Youth support services resource list
Children (2-12 years)
If you are a health professional or service provider who works with children or young people, a number of resources on COVID-19 are now available. These resources help explain what children need to know and how to have that conversation with them.
- For service providers, GPs and other health organisations Emerging Minds has developed resources here.
- For younger children, a booklet has been developed for practitioners. Download the booklet here.
Young people (12-24 years)
ReachOut and headspace have digital support forums (peer-based and moderated) with spaces specific to the pandemic. Additionally, online support for parents is available through ReachOut Parents (Parent Coaching online) and eheadspace (Family and Friends support).
For access to youth mental health support visit our youth mental health page.
Other resources
Plain English
- New mental health and wellbeing advice has been updated with a number of electronic resources available.
- A detailed FAQ on the stay at home directions.
- COVID-19 explained in easy to understand English
- Self-isolation explained in easy to understand English.
Other languages
- COVID-19 translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, health professionals and industry.
- Resources in 50 languages for the general public in Australia.
- The New South Wales government health website also includes resources in English and other languages.
We're still here to help
At SEMPHN, we are committed to keeping our people healthy so that they can continue to support the health workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As such, our employees are now taking the responsible step of working remotely to limit the spread of the virus. We are limiting contact, looking at alternative ways of working with stakeholders, reducing or cancelling face to face meetings and protecting our people, families and service providers to continue to conduct our business.
Thank you for your understanding as we change our business model in the short term, in an effort to better contain the virus.
For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Health professionals can also sign-up to receive our COVID-19 email here.
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Resources
Events and Education See all
Webinar: Integrated Care Community of Practice - Case Discussion
External events
Tuesday, 2 February 2021
13:00 - 13:45
Allied Health Professional, AOD Worker, Case worker...
Webinar: Integrated Care Community of Practice - Case Discussion
External events
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
13:00 - 13:45
Allied Health Professional, AOD Worker, Case worker...
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