COVID-19 & MONKEYPOX | Northside Health NT

COVID-19 & Monkeypox

Information.

Northside Health is not currently providing Covid vaccination.

All Covid vaccinations should be booked via NT Health online here.

Northside Health is not currently providing Monkeypox vaccination.

Monkeypox vaccinations should be booked via Clinic 34 on 8999 2678.

Please see coronavirus.nt.gov.au for up-to-date NT Covid information.

COVID VACCINE MANDATES HAVE CEASED IN NT.

MASK MANDATES HAVE ALSO CEASED HOWEVER WE CHOOSE TO CONTINUE MASK WEARING INSIDE OUR CLINIC for the safety of our staff and patients.

MONKEYPOX

Monkeypox cases have been diagnosed in Australia.

For details about monkeypox including transmission,symptoms and vaccination see The Australian Health Department information site.

From 18 August 2022, JYNNEOS MONKEYPOX VACCINE is available in Darwin from Clinic 34.

Please book on 8999 2678.

Two doses are required, at least 28 days apart.

Maximal antibody levels occur 2 weeks after the SECOND dose.

Current eligibility criteria-

The full list of eligibility criteria for Monkeypox vaccination is available on the NT Health Monkeypox information page.

COVID-19

IF YOU HAVE COVID SYMPTOMS:

The "new normal" means: anyone with cold, flu or fever symptoms must be tested for COVID and consider staying isolated at home until symptoms are gone.

Even if you don't think you could have COVID, if you have a cold, you should test. This includes children.

If you call to see us and you have a cold or any other Covid symptom, we will advise you to do a RAT test before seeing us for your check-up.

This is to minimise the risk of Covid transmission within the clinic.

Even if your COVID test is negative, it is best to stay at home until better.

A medical certificate can be issued to you by one of our GPs using a Telehealth consult.

COVID TESTING.

RATs are appropriate to confirm Covid. If you have a positive RAT, you can declare it online at NT Covid (though this is no longer compulsory, it helps keep track of local case numbers).

Free RATs are available at some Darwin locations listed here.

PCR testing is unusual now but could be considered if you have had negative RATs, still have symptoms and are concerned. See NT Covid for locations of PCR testing.

WE OFFER TELEHEALTH PHONE OR VIDEO CONSULTS

WE ARE OFFERING CONSULTS VIA PHONE & VIDEO.

During a Telehealth consult, if the GP decides that they need to see you in person, they will ask you to come in for a face-to-face consult on the same day or another day.

TELEHEALTH FEES.

All fees for Telehealth consults are the same as our existing fees.

Medicare rebates are exactly the same however Medicare has set the requirement that to receive a rebate you must have been into the clinic for a face-to-face consult in the 12 months prior to your Telehealth appointment. We can arrange this for you.

All Care Plans and Mental Health Care Plans can be performed by Telehealth.

Medical certificates can be emailed to you.

Prescriptions, specialist referrals and pathology forms can be sent to your chosen provider.

HOW DOES TELEHEALTH WORK?

You will receive the usual SMS reminder with your appointment time.

Please use this as a guide- your GP may not call at exactly this time.

KEEP YOUR PHONE WITH YOU AND BE READY.

Prepare a clear list of what you want to achieve in the consult.

You will have your consult via phone with your GP.

We may use other video platforms to contact you on your phone. These do not require any special Apps, just your phone camera.

Just click on the link we send you in an SMS. It will take you to a secure video link direct to your doctor.

If your doctor decides they need to see you in person, you will be asked to attend the practice that day or book for another day. Some examples of this might be a rash or skin lesion of concern that is hard to see by video.

Medical certificates will be emailed to you.

Prescriptions and pathology forms will be sent to your chosen provider.

Our psychologists can consult via Zoom video link. Please install the Zoom App on your device before your consult.

OUR WAITING ROOM AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A COLD:

Anyone with any respiratory symptom is no longer able to wait in the waiting room. Please use your car as a private waiting room.
This includes: cough, cold, flu, sore throat, fever, runny nose, sneezes, sore ears, sore eyes, sinusitis, conjunctivitis or red eyes and anything else to do with your airways.

We have implemented various strategies in the waiting room to lower infection risk, such as removing the water bubbler and placing Perspex screens at reception. WE HAVE ALSO INSTALLED HEPA AIR FILTERS IN EVERY ROOM IN THE CLINIC.

Please remember that everything we are doing is designed to protect you, and very vulnerable people who may be in the waiting room, and the practice staff who need to remain well to keep providing essential care into the future. We all need to be understanding and considerate towards each other at this time.

What if I am coming to the clinic for something else and I happen to have cold symptoms?

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE WAITING ROOM. Call reception. The consult can occur by telephone, to you in your car in

the carpark, and scripts or paperwork brought out to you.

HOW TO MANAGE A MILD COLD OR FLU AT HOME.

Sleep and rest are very important. Implement the basics- healthy food, plenty of water, minimise sugar, caffeine and junk food.
Immune support: use zinc, vitamin C and herbs that you are familiar with using such as olive leaf or echinacea.
Symptom relief as required: decongestant nose sprays, cough lozenges and paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If required, a medical certificate can be issued to you by one of our GPs using a Telehealth consult.

FLU VACCINES 2022 ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

We remind all people who are eligible for free flu vaccines to book for vaccination (over 65 years old, ATSI, pregnant women, or with a chronic health condition).
YOU DO NOT NEED TO LEAVE ANY TIME between your fluvax and Covid vaccine.
Avoiding the flu will keep your immune system stronger if you do catch COVID-19.
Private flu vaccines for all other people are also available.
Pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended and is free for those over 70, ATSI over 50 or with specified chronic health conditions.

PHONE HOTLINES.

1800 490 484: NT COVID-19 phone line.

1800 020 080: The national COVID-19 hotline for general advice.

KINDNESS.

Perhaps the silver lining at this stressful time is how much creativity and kindness is being shown.

Check out “The Kindness Pandemic” Facebook group, with over 500,000 members sharing positive stories about hope and kindness occurring all over the world.

A little bit of kindness goes a long way at this very challenging time; and remember, we are here to do our best for you.

WEBSITES.

Northern Territory Government COVID-19 information.

COVID-19 Current Situation and Case Numbers (Australian Government Department of Health): detailed graphs, charts and up-to-date Australian data.

An Australian GP’s Guide to Self-Isolation or Quarantine with COVID-19.

The Kindness Pandemic (Facebook group): positive stories.

“Home Schooling due to Virus and School Closures in Australia” (Facebook group): resources and ideas for families at home.

The Coronavirus Sanity Guide: free meditations, podcasts, blogs and talks.

COVID-19 Support: mental health supports and ideas.