Photo Caption (L-R): Pictured outside the Moree respiratory clinic are Amanda Saunders, Practice Manager; Kenneth Knox, Treasurer Board of Directors; Cathy Duncan, Chairperson Board of Directors; Rosemary Rose, Nurse Manager; Dr Syed Ghazi (front); and Dr Glendon Inkster.
Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton has announced Moree’s new respiratory clinic is now operational.
“The clinic is being run by Pius X Aboriginal Corporation 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 11 May.
“This is exciting news for the Moree 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 Moree clinic.”
Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (PHN) CEO Richard Nankervis said the clinic further strengthens the capacity of the district to deal with any potential outbreaks, should they occur.
“We know from our work with local GPs and the Local Health District that the region is well-placed to deal with any potential COVID-19 cases. The opening of this respiratory clinic provides an additional resource to keep our community and health workers safe during the current pandemic,” Mr Nankervis said.
“We’d also like to remind the community that while anxiety is understandable during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with ongoing chronic health conditions should be continuing to maintain contact with their GP to ensure their health is well-monitored.”
Pius X Aboriginal Corporation Nurse Manager Ros Rose said the clinic is a wonderful bonus for Moree.
“The respiratory clinic will open up new opportunities for us to support the healthcare of local Aboriginal people and the rest of the community in Moree,” Ms Rose said.
“We thank the Federal Government for this opportunity – we care deeply about our community and the clinic will put us in a strong position to protect Moree against the potential spread of COVID-19.”
Patients can make a booking by phoning Pius X on 02 6752 1099. The opening hours for the clinic are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. The clinic is located at 140 Anne St.
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.
