Covid-19 Information

Mead Medical is fortunate to have an experienced team that allows us to keep our centres open, and to provide a safe environment for doctors, staff and patients.  

 Our TEAM continues to plan and adapt efficiently to the quickly evolving and ever-changing pandemic by drawing on the foundations of medical leadership.  Our TEAM works closely with each other to determine the safest way in which to continue to provide you with high quality health care in a high-risk environment.  

 COVID-19 can cause a range of symptoms, which can be mild, moderate or severe. Get tested early if you have any of the following, no matter how mild: 

 Acute respiratory symptoms (including a runny nose, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath) 
OR 

Fever (?37.5C) OR recent history of fever (e.g., night sweats, chills), without a known source 
OR  

Fatigue, Headache or new loss of smell/taste 

Staying COVID safe 

 If you have cold or flu-like symptoms listed above please get tested early. Most cases of Covid are mild and can be managed at home with rest, pain relief, fluids and electrolytes however it is important you seek medical care early especially if you have any underlying health issues that may put you at greater risk of a more severe covid infection. Signs and symptoms that the covid infection is worsening can be found in our Have you been Diagnosed with Covid? section. Appointments can be made online or over the phone but will always start as a telephone assessment. Please do not enter the medical centre if you have any signs or symptoms that may be covid or you have taken a covid test and are waiting for the results.  

 We encourage our patients not to neglect their healthcare during this covid outbreak and to continue with their usual regular check-ups, procedures and immunisations. Our Doctor’s are available for face to face consultations when needed as well as via phone and video. 

 What measures are we taking to keep you safe? 

 Patients are all COVID screened before entering our premises 

• Protective screens have been installed at reception 
• Stickers have been placed throughout the centres to remind patients to keep your distance from each other 

• Chairs in waiting rooms have been spread out to comply with physical distancing 
• Doctor consult rooms have also been arranged to comply with physical distancing 
• The centre is thoroughly cleaned multiple times throughout the day 
• It is compulsory that all patients attending for a face to face appointment wear a mask. 
• Telehealth has been introduced to better manage the number of patients on site at any one time 

 What is telehealth? 

 Telehealth is having a consultation with your regular GP over the phone or via video.  You can book these online via HOTDOC.  Doctors then have the ability to send an electronic prescription (escript) your mobile or email and can electronically send any referrals you may require. 

 Appointments for the COVID-19 Vaccine 

 Appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine can only be booked via HOTDOC. This valuable service will continue where practicable throughout this pandemic. Please note that vaccinations sessions are fast and specific, you will not be able to consult with the GP for any other health related matters during these appointments. 

 Have you been diagnosed with COVID? 

 WA Health is running Covid Care at Home. 

 Most people with COVID-19 can care for themselves with some support from their GP. 

WA COVID Care at Home delivers home monitoring care for COVID-positive people who require it due to having risk factors which put them at greater risk of requiring hospitalisation. 

This is a free service. You will need to register for the service. 

To help determine whether you would benefit from WA COVID Care at Home you must first have had a positive COVID-19 test result. Pre-registration is not available. Not everyone will qualify for this service. 

WA COVID Care at Home will enrol patients based on risk factors such as age, vaccination status, severity of symptoms, medical history and social factors. 

You will be asked to consent to enrol in the program. 

COVID Care at Home patients will receive calls from the health care team to check their vital health signs and welfare. This is not an emergency service but a monitoring service 

 If a patient who is covid positive does not meet the criteria they will be rejected from the programme and advised to monitor symptoms at home. Patients can re-enrol at another point if their symptoms worsen slightly but not if they become very unwell. 

Mild covid symptoms may include: 

• Fever 
• Dry cough 
• Shortness of breath 

• Fatigue 
• Loss of taste and/or smell 
• Diarrhoea 
• Headache 
• Sore/scratchy throat 

• Muscle aches 
• Runny nose 
• Chills/night sweats 
• Vomiting 

Signs of moderate/worsening covid include:  

• mild shortness of breath when moving around or coughing 
• coughing up mucous regularly 
• severe muscle aches 
• feeling very weak and tired, but still able to move about 

• little or no urination 
• vomiting or diarrhoea 
• a temperature 38 degrees Celsius or higher 
• shakes or shivers. 

Or if you feel that you are unable to take care of yourself and others are unable to take care of you (such as showering, putting on clothes, going to the toilet or making food) 

Contact your GP if you or the person you are caring for develops any of the above symptoms.  

Severe Covid symptoms 

You should call 000 if any of the following happens to you, or the person you are caring for: 

• severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 

• becoming short of breath even when resting and not moving around 
• becoming breathless when talking or finding it hard to finish sentences 

• breathing gets worse very suddenly 
• chest pain or discomfort 
• coughing up blood 

• lips or face turning blue 
• skin cold, clammy, pale or mottled 
• severe headaches or dizziness 
• fainting or feeling like fainting often  
• unable to get out of bed or look after self or others 

• confusion (for example, can’t recall the day, time or people’s names) 
• finding it difficult to keep eyes open. 

What do I do? 

 Call 000 immediately if you, or the person you are looking after, gets any of these symptoms. Do not wait to see if the symptoms change. 

When you call an ambulance (dial 000), let the operator know you have COVID-19 so the paramedics know how to treat you safely. Ambulance transport to the nearest and most appropriate medical facility is free if you have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. You may have cover also through your private health insurance. 

Additional information/resources: 

 www.healthywa.wa.gov.au contains up to date information and contact details for additional services including 13COVID (13 26 843) 

https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Managing-COVID19-at-home-and-in-the-community/WA-COVID-Care-at-Home 

Call the coronavirus (COVID-19) information helpline on 13 COVID (13 26843) 

(Interstate callers: 1800 595 206. International callers: +61 8 9118 3100.) 

PATIENT INFORMATION

During times of community outbreak, all patients will be triaged before entering our Practice. Any patient’s with flu like symptoms must book a telehealth appointment with your GP prior to attending the practice, your GP will then determine whether a car consultation is appropriate and advise accordingly.

We as a practice would like to acknowledge our patients and their continued efforts in helping minimise viral infections in general. We understand that whilst our State is currently in a low risk Pandemic phase, this does not mean that we are able to let our guard down in ensuring it remains this way by remaining vigilant and cautious. It would be easy to say we are low risk and therefore no longer require screening of people presenting with symptoms however mild, however this is how other States continue to end up in predicaments that lead to shut down of businesses /lockdowns.

The new strains are fast spreading and highly contagious and as a result Mead Medical continues to triage all patients and any presentations of even mild symptoms with caution until we can properly rule out Covid-19. This means that you may be asked to wait in your car until the GP can carry out an assessment, and if deemed necessary get Covid tested by appropriate providers.

We understand this may not always be convenient but then neither is another Covid outbreak. Our patients and staff are our highest priority and by continuing this cautious approach we have been able to continue to operate and provide care during the past lockdowns.

THINGS YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW ON THE DAY OF YOUR VACCINE AT OUR CLINIC 

All of your consent paperwork and proof of eligibility if required should have been completed and on your patient file
Please remember to keep your distance from others waiting for their appointment
You will not be able to discuss any other clinical matters during this appointment due to the tight timelines during a vaccination clinic, please rebook if you have other clinical concerns
If you have attended with other family members you may go in together
Doctor will double check your wellness for todays immunisation and your documentation
Please ensure you have not had another immunisation two-week pre and post this COVID jab
Doctor will give you a colour coded card which will indicate how long you need to wait after you have had your jab
Please wait in the cubicle or room that the jab was given to you until your nominated time is up – then make your way to exit
Once your time is complete please exit following signage
IMPORTANT – please do not leave practice until you have checked out with reception,
Please call nursing if you are feeling unwell whilst still in the practice
Your vaccination record can be found in your MyHealth record
Nurses will provide you with a Post vaccination information sheet before you leave

USEFUL DOCUMENTS AND DOWNLOADS

• Consumer FAQs
• Covid-19 vaccination consent form
• What to expect after you Covid-19 Vaccination
• Vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy
• Vaccination decision guide for frail older people, including those in residential aged care facilities
• Why should I get vaccinated for Covid-19? Australian Government Department of Health