The Weston Creek Walk-in Centre has expanded its services to include telehealth consultations for COVID-19 patients who do not require hospital admission.
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It comes after the federal government fast-tracked the roll-out of telehealth last week. The service allows people to bulk-bill phone or video hook ups with their doctor.
The Weston Creek centre was recently designated as a dedicated respiratory assessment centre.
"The Weston Creek Walk-in Centre has been playing a vital role in our response to COVID-19," ACT health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
"Expanding services through a dedicated respiratory assessment centre will ensure COVID-19 patients who are recovering at home get the care and support they need.
"This service will help to reduce the number of patients presenting at emergency departments or being admitted to hospital by providing expert medical support quickly and conveniently."
Telehealth consultations could include physical assessments, advice, a GP appointment or referrals to community nursing.
The service would be provided by advance practice nurses, nurse practioners and GPs. Infectious diseases and general medicines specialists at Canberra Health Services would also assist.
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Post-hospital support and follow-ups for positive cases would also be available.
"The ACT government's top priority is to respond to the spread of COVID-19 in our community, ensuring we are doing everything we can to protect he health of Canberrans and our healthcare workforce," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
From Monday, a random selection of people who present for testing at either the Weston Creek centre or the EPIC drive-through testing facility and showed symptoms but did not meet other criteria would be tested.
ACT Health announced on Friday it was "actively looking" for evidence of community transmission in Canberra.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Lucy Bladen
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
