COVID-19 Patient Communication
We’re COVID-safe
Many of our patients and referring doctors have asked if, and how, COVID-19 will affect their care with us. We would like to reassure you that we continue to offer our specialist services, consultations and procedures and have adapted our usual practices to best accommodate the current health-safety needs of all our patients, staff and the larger community.
As an essential service operating throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the team at Sydney Endocrinology discuss, review and update our COVID-safe plan on a regular basis to ensure you and your loved ones are safe and can feel comfortable when you are with us.
Measures currently in place
Masks are compulsory at the clinic
For all Face 2 Face Appointments patients must show they are Double Vaccinated OR show us a negative RAT result from that day
At Sydney Endocrinology we treat a number of vulnerable patients who have a 7 fold risk of dying from Covid than the general population. We take this responsibility very seriously.
Telehealth appointments are available with all practitioners
Hand hygiene/sanitiser stations are in all consultation rooms and patient contact areas
Frequent wipe down and spray of contact areas such as waiting room, door handles, patient refreshment station, EFTPOS terminals, bathroom, chairs etc
Social distance measures and indicators
Comprehensive COVID-safe plan lodged with Service NSW
Respectfully reducing the flow and volume of non-patient visitors wherever possible.
The health and wellbeing of our patients and staff is our paramount concern. Rest assured we have taken all steps to ensure your safety, and we ask you adhere to our procedures to protect our staff and other patients also
Who will be offered a telephone or telehealth consult?
For those with pre-existing bookings, your doctor will flag you as suitable for telephone or telehealth consultation, and one of our friendly administration staff will be in contact to set up the consultation (see “Setting up for your Telephone or Telehealth consultation”, below)
For new patients, please send in your referral letter which will allow the doctor to determine if you are suitable for telephone or telehealth consultation. This can be done by fax (02) 9157 9056, or email reception@sydneyendocrinology.com.au
If you have not been offered a telehealth or telephone consultation, you may request to have a telephone or telehealth consultation.
Are Medicare rebates available for telephone and telehealth consults?
Medicare rebates are available at the moment for Telehealth. Temporary MBS telehealth items have been made available to help reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and provide protection for patients and health care providers. We have not been advised if this will be extended.
If you attend for a face-to-face visit you will be eligible for a rebate as per usual (i.e. if you have a valid referral). These vary with the type of consultation, but typically range between $68 and $140 for follow-up appointments.
There are no medicare rebates for telephone or telehealth consultations with Dietitians, Diabetes Educators or Clinical Pyschologists at this stage.
For allied health visits, rebates for providers through Enhanced Primary Care continue to be available for face to face consultations. These vary with the type of consultation but typically range between $55.10 and $120 for follow-up appointments.
What is the difference between telephone and telehealth consultations?
Telephone consultations occur via the phone. You will not be able to see your doctor and they will not be able to see you
Telehealth consultations will occur via Zoom, where you are able to see your doctor and they can see you
How do I set up my telephone or telehealth consultation?
Prior to your consultation you will be emailed detailed instructions about your telephone or telehealth consultation with a link for you to click on.
For all patients visiting the clinic
Please do not visit the clinic if you have the following symptoms:
fever
dry cough
fatigue
productive cough
shortness of breath
muscle aches and pains
sore throat
If you have these symptoms and have been in contact with someone who has travelled to a high risk country in the preceding 14 days, or someone known to have COVID19, then please call to cange your appointment to Telehealth.
Please do not visit if you have travelled overseas to any country in the preceding 14 days. Please call (02) 9157 9095 to reschedule or convert to Telehealth.
Please do not visit if you have been in close contact (more than 15 minutes) with anyone known to have COVID-19
Please note: if we find you have misled us regarding your symptoms, exposure or travel, we have the right to refuse you service in the future. The safety of our staff and at-risk patients is of paramount importance to us.
Use the hand sanitisier provided at the front desk
We have a no hand-shaking policy.
Please cough or sneeze into your elbow, but ideally delay your appointment if coughing or sneezing.
Limited staff travel and increased work from home tasks to limit contacts.
If your doctor or allied health practitioner is in isolation, you will have three options:
1. be offered a telephone consultation with that person,
2. the chance to defer your appointment,
or 3. the choice to see another practitioner at Sydney Endocrinology who will be covering for that person’s patients.
This will be discussed with your prior to your consultation.
As this is an evolving situation these policies are subject to change without notice.
Rationale
In light of the local Greater Sydney and global situation regarding COVID-19, we are making changes at Sydney Endocrinology to protect the health and wellbeing of staff and patients.
How does coronavirus spread?
The new coronavirus is primarily a respiratory illness, and it typically spreads via airborne droplets from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes. A person can also get the coronavirus if they touch a surface or object that has viral particles on it and then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes.
The virus can live up to a day on cardboard, and up to three days on plastic (e.g. polypropylene, a type of plastic used in everything from toys to car parts) and stainless steel. The coronavirus can also live in the air for up to three hours.
Smooth, nonporous surfaces like doorknobs and tabletops are better at carrying viruses in general. Porous surfaces – like money, hair, and fabric – don’t allow viruses to survive as long because the small spaces or holes in them can trap the microbe and prevent its transfer.
According to reports including one published yesterday in JAMA, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in faeces suggesting the virus could be spread by people who don’t properly wash their hands after using the bathroom.
Sites of infection risk – taps, doorknobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, touchscreens, ATMs, coins, plastic, cash and tabletops.
Potential for virus transmission while asymptomatic
It takes an average of five days before a person begins to cough and feel symptoms. But, during much of those five days, that victim is infecting others. People can be infectious from about 3 days after exposure and about 1-2 days prior to symptoms. We need to ensure we are practicing safe hygiene at all times.
How to slow the rate of infection and protect vulnerable populations
Vaccination halves the rate of transmission. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
The aim is to slow the rate of infection within our community to flatten out the number of people who need medical attention and allow the hospitals to have sufficient resources to treat those that are extremely unwell (e.g. enough beds in Intensive Care Units). While the total number who get infected might not change, the containment measures intend to avoid an outbreak trajectory in which a large number of people get sick at the same time.
Social distancing
Pre-emptive low cost social distancing and enhanced hygiene implemented before local COVID-19 transmission could decrease the number and severity of cases (and flatten the curve).