COVID-19 - Information for health professionals
Key reminders for general practice
- Check the Victorian Department of Health 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 Victorian Department of 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
- Stay up to date on current restrictions
Victorian COVID-19 case numbers
- Read the full daily health alert.
- The Victorian Department of Health (DH) website has full details in the interactive daily report
- For comprehensive updates on case numbers, restrictions and clinical guidance, please refer to the DH website.
- Read the COVIDSafe restrictions.
Advice for clinicians
- Clinical guidelines are found on the COVID-19 evidence website.
- Notify the department of a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 online. Submit an online form to the Victorian Department of Health public health team.
- Resources: DH's Information for health services and professionals page
- Current testing locations listed on the where to get tested page.
- Need advice about infection prevention and control? Helpline available via vtphna.org.au/infectionpreventionhelpline or call 1800 312 968 or (03) 9956 1046, 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
COVID-19 vaccine updates
Please click here to access our COVID-19 vaccine page.
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.
Webinar recordings — COVID Positive Patients Pathway:
- Alfred Hospital: Access Passcode: T#5cH@$x
- Monash Hospital: 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.
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 and collaterals 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 Victorian Department of Health (DH)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 DH guidance found here
Fit-testing and Fit Checking
You can search for a qualified a Fit-Tester here
To understand how to do a basic Fit Check click here
General Practices and ACCHOs which are NOT testing for COVID-19
Please use this link: General Practice/ACCHO PPE
- Level 2 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.
- Gloves (for COVID vaccinating) - Blue Nitrile Powder Free in sizes small,medium and large
General Practices and ACCHOs which are TESTING for COVID-19
Please use this link: COVID-19 testing General Practice/ACCHO
- Level 2 surgical masks to work with at-risk or COVID-19 community members and 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 COVID testing, 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)
- Gloves (for COVID vaccinating or testing) - Blue Nitrile Powder Free in sizes small, medium and large.
Appointment Cards and Proof of Vaccination Fliers
Community pharmacies
Please use this link: Pharmacy masks requests
- Level 2 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 2 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.
Access & Referral arrangements during COVID-19
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 COVID-19 section).
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
Infection Prevention Helpline
Infection Prevention Helpline is available on 1800 312 968 or 03 9956 1046 between 9 am – 5 pm on weekdays
The Helpline provides advice on infection prevention and control to help keep staff and patients safe during COVID-19.
You can access infection prevention and control advice including:
- Guidance with sterilisation processes
- Strategies for reducing patient wait-times indoors and reducing inside contact
- Cleaning tips for high-touch areas and washing of scrubs
- Improvements in infection control processes
- Infection prevention and vaccinations.
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
Has 'COVID fatigue' set in with your infection control practices?
SEMPHN collaborated with Marg Jennings, Infection Prevention and Control Educator and Consultant, to look at some common issues related to COVID-19 transmission in your practice that can be simply avoided. Read more.
Aged care sector and COVID-19
Visit the DH 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 for health professionals
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)
Medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence during the pandemic:
- Interim Guidance for the delivery of medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence in response to COVID-19
- Victorian guidance is available here.
Children (2-12 years)
- SEMPHN: Youth support services resource list
- Emerging Minds: resources here.
Resources for community
SEMPHN
Young people (12-24 years)
- SEMPHN's youth mental health page
- ReachOut
- headspace
Other resources
Plain English
- Mental health and wellbeing advice
- 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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South Eastern Melbourne PHN acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land our catchment covers, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people. We pay respect to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future, and uphold their relationship to this land.
While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
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