Photo Caption: Front (L-R) – Dr Nahid Sinha; Dr Sunil Jacob (DMAHG); Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton; Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders. Back (L-R) – Jen Hearne; Sarah Wiegold (nurses); Dr Mina Ayad (DMAHG).

Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton has announced patients will be able to visit Dubbo’s new respiratory clinic from Monday.

Mr Coulton shared the news from the clinic today alongside local doctors and nurses.

“The clinic is being run by Dubbo Medical and Allied Health Group and will help to screen patients with COVID-19-like symptoms,” Mr Coulton said.

“Patients will need to make an appointment either online or over the phone and can be assessed from Monday.

“This is exciting news for the Dubbo region as we continue to strengthen our local capacity in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.”

The Federal Government has committed to establishing up to 100 GP-led respiratory clinics across Australia to assess patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

“These respiratory clinics are best placed to support people with a fever, cough, sore throat and other respiratory symptoms and will help to avoid the risk of infection in our local communities,” he said.

“The Federal Government has been working with local GPs and Aspen Medical – which has significant health emergency management experience in Australia and overseas – to roll out the Dubbo clinic.”

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) CEO Andrew Harvey said the clinic complements an enormous amount of work already undertaken by GPs and clinicians across hospital and primary health care networks, further strengthening the preparedness for COVID-19.

“This respiratory clinic provides additional capacity in Dubbo to support early detection and reinforce services, and I’m very grateful for the support of Dubbo Medical and Allied Health Group in helping to set up this important addition to our COVID-19 infrastructure,” Mr Harvey said.

“While performing vitally important work in its own right, the respiratory clinic also provides added comfort for people without respiratory complaints to continue to visit their GP and other health professionals for regular check-ups and other issues.”

Patients can make a booking by phoning Dubbo Medical and Allied Health Group on 02 6815 9900 or online at www.hotdoc.com.au (search for Dubbo Respiratory Clinic).

BACKGROUND:

• The Federal Government is investing $206.7 million to establish up to 100 respiratory clinics across Australia, including in rural and regional areas. Additionally, more than 160 fever clinics, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments are also in operation across Australia.
• People with severe symptoms should call 000 and/or attend the nearest hospital emergency department.
• It is important that people attend the clinic only at the time of their booking so that social distancing can be maintained, and they may be asked to wait in their car until the clinic is ready to receive them.
• 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.