COVID-19 RESPIRATORY CLINICS OPEN IN GUNDAGAI AND TUMUT

Gundagai and Tumut residents now have access to GP-led respiratory clinics as part of the Federal Government’s $2.4 billion health package to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the two respiratory clinics which opened today were among more than 100 Commonwealth-funded clinics being opened around Australia to assess patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 like symptoms.

“The GP-led clinics will help to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and other general practices,” Mr McCormack said.  

“Rural and regional residents deserve health care services which are just as good as those provided in our major cities and the national roll-out of these new clinics is part of addressing that.

“These respiratory clinics will be vital in the fight against COVID-19 and anyone with symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat and other respiratory symptoms, should be tested to avoid the risk of infection in our local communities.”

Mr McCormack said opening of the Gundagai and Tumut respiratory clinics followed the opening of a Wagga Wagga clinic on 15 April.

Gundagai rural doctor, Dr Paul Mara, welcomed the opening of the clinics in Gundagai and Tumut.

“I believe people will respond positively to the coronavirus testing as part of the strategy to protect individuals and the community,” Dr Mara said.

“I’d urge everyone who has any respiratory symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested and all in the community to comply with social distancing and the other measures which are in place to avoid infection.”

Dr Mara said the Gundagai clinic was located on Mount Street opposite McDonald’s and the Tumut clinic was in the old railway precinct.

He said people with any respiratory symptoms would need to make an appointment either online via booking links available by searching GP respiratory clinics at the website www.health.gov.au or by telephoning the Gundagai Medical Centre on  6944 3444 or the Tumut Family Medical Centre on 6947 2177.

“The respiratory clinics are not designed to manage or treat emergencies or patients who are acutely unwell,” Dr Mara said.

“Patients who are acutely unwell with high fevers, shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties, productive cough or chest pain or other emergencies should present to their local hospital or ring 000.”

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network chief executive officer Melissa Neal said anyone with respiratory symptoms or unexplained fever should be tested.

“The most common symptoms if COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath, so if you have any of these I would encourage you to make an appointment at the newly opened GP-led respiratory clinics,” Ms Neal said.

“Testing is critical to help minimise the risk of community to community transmission and to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“After your swab has been taken it’s sent away for testing and you will know the result in a couple of days.

“During this time, people are to isolate at home and they will receive more information from the GP in the testing appointment.”

Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said the Government was putting in place a range of measures, including additional practice incentives and the expansion of telehealth, to enable the rural medical workforce to continue to care for regional Australians through the pandemic.