The health, safety and well-being of patients, staff and visitors to this practice and the community generally are of paramount importance.
Our practice already adheres to strict infection control procedures with stringent cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation procedures in place.
While COVID-19 presents any risk in our local environment, the practice will take proportionate precautions to managing the risk. The practice owners regularly monitor risk, particularly in relation to any threat posed by community transmission in the Tasmanian community.
As a precautionary measure we ask all people entering the practice to use hand sanitiser before entering the building. A sanitiser station has been located outside the main entrance, in addition to a sanitiser dispenser on the reception counter. For those people who cannot safely use sanitiser, washing hands with soap and water is a safe alternative.
Our reception staff will also ask patients attending the practice screening questions about respiratory symptoms and if there is concern about community transmission additional questions about contact and recent travel might also be asked. Where necessary patients may be asked to have their temperature measured using a “no touch” thermometer.
Patients with respiratory symptoms will usually be asked to reschedule their appointment, however patients with long-term respiratory disorders can be seen provided the practice is satisfied that their condition does not present a risk to others. In some situations we may seek consent to discuss any risk with the patient’s general practitioner before scheduling an appointment..
You might notice some other changes in the practice. Our waiting room might look different – we have removed magazines and there are signs about the maximum number of people in the waiting room to comply with “social distancing” requirements. Our staff will be regularly decontaminating all surfaces in the practice, including door handles, counter tops, pens at reception, chairs, floors etc.
We ask that you do not bring any other person to your appointment unless absolutely necessary. For workplace rehabilitation providers who would usually attend consultations, we can contact you by telephone after the consultation.
We understand this is an unprecedented and uncertain time and that you may feel anxious. We want to reassure you that our staff are trained in infection control procedures and your safety is, as it always has been, our biggest priority. If you have any concerns, please call us on 6223 1011 or 62240935 or discuss any concern with the practitioner that sees you.
More information regarding COVID-19, how to protect yourself and what you should do if you are feeling unwell can be found at www.health.gov.au or by calling 1800 020 080.
The Tasmanian Government website provides regular updates http://www.health.tas.gov.au/. The Australian Government also has information https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov.
Peter Sharman
09 September 2020
