COVID CLINIC UPDATE & FAQ’s

COVID UPDATE EFFECTIVE FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2021:

 

Q: Can I attend appointments at Brunswick Health?

Yes! You can access all our health services unrestricted. Being a primary health care facility, we are currently open and the health and safety of our patients, community and team members is our top priority. Part of our role in the community is to help reduce the load placed on our hospital, medical and emergency services. We do that by having qualified, experienced and trustworthy practitioners here for your health needs.

 

Q: Has Brunswick Health changed their opening hours?

Our opening hours are the same: Monday to Friday 8.45 am to 7.45 pm & Saturday 8.45 am to 5pm. As always, our front desk staff is available to take your calls from 8.45 am.

 

Q: What Health services are currently being offered?

• Chiropractic: Normal clinic hours 
• Physiotherapy: Normal clinic hours. Telehealth is also available for those who prefer to use this service 
• Podiatry: Normal clinic hours. Telehealth is also available for those who prefer to use this service
• Acupuncture: Normal clinic hours
• Naturopathy: Normal clinic hours. Telehealth is also available for those who prefer to use this service
• Therapeutic Massage & Myotherapy: Normal clinic hours 
• Colonic Irrigation/Hydrotherapy: Normal clinic hours, also available on Sunday 9 am – 5 pm (pre-bookings for Sunday Appointments are essential as phone support is only offered Monday to Saturday)
• Skin Needling: Normal clinic hours 

 

Q: Can I leave my 5km zone to come to the clinic?

As Allied Health is considered an essential health service, you are permitted unrestricted access. Meaning, the 5km limit rule, does not apply when you attend an appointment at our clinic.

 

Q: Can I come into the clinic to pick up products?

Yes, this is unrestricted however you may prefer to utilise our click & collect service by prepaying for your products over the phone via credit card.

 

Q: Do we still have curfew hours?  

No, curfew hours were lifted Monday 28th September 2020.

 

Q: Can I come in for my usual check-up?

Yes, routine check-ups are now permitted as the Government no longer restricts treatment to “crisis care only”.

 

Q: Can I get a remedial massage or see a colonic hydrotherapist?

Yes, these allied health services are now permitted.

 

Q: Can I see a naturopath?

Yes, you can either attend face-to-face appointments or telehealth video or phone consultations.

 

Q: Can I have a telehealth appointment?

Yes, we will continue to offer telehealth in addition to face-to-face consults for those that prefer this option.

 

Q: What am I required to do when I come into the clinic?

• We ask that you only enter the clinic at your appointment time (unless you have to fill out paperwork or have been asked to arrive early).
• Attend on your own unless you require a support person or you are the sole carer of children.
• Follow the current Government directives such as whether you should be wearing a mask or not.
• If you have any flu-like symptoms you need to call and reschedule your appointment.
• Use the sanitising stations we provide
• Maintain social distancing

 

Q: Does the clinic have a COVID plan?

Absolutely! All our front desk staff and practitioners have a copy of our COVID plan covering what to do when should a COVID situation arise. The clinic has been operating normal hours since COVID started without incident of cross-contamination, despite COVID numbers. We remain diligent with our regular disinfecting regime and COVID screening measures to keep our staff and community safe.

 

Q: What preventative measures are in place at the clinic to mitigate COVID? 

Being a primary health care facility, the health and safety of our patients, community and team members are our top priority. We will continue to practice our highest level of infection control procedures. Here is a summary of initiatives currently in place at our practice:

1. Cleaning, Hand Washing, and Sanitisation:

• We are cleaning and sanitising common spaces regularly with hospital-grade viral disinfectant

• Every person before entering and leaving the facility is encouraged to use hand sanitisers provided

• Practitioners are sanitising hands before seeing each patient, in addition to cleaning all contact surfaces in their treatment rooms with hospital grade anti-viral disinfectant

• We have removed all pamphlets, magazines and toys to reduce surfaces and objects being touched

• We have removed items on our reception bench-top.

• All our practitioners have completed the Australian Government’s Online certificate for Infection Control Training – COVID 19

 

2. Temperature Checks

• We offer infrared non-contact forehead thermometer testing to all consenting patients

• All our practitioners and front desk staff are also temperature tested

 

3. Wearing Masks

• All patients attending appointments are to wear masks when instructed by our Government. One will be provided if you forget to bring one

• All practitioners wear disposal surgical masks during consultations. Face shields are also available.

• All reception staff wear disposal surgical masks.

 

4. Social distancing & wearing masks

• All seating arrangements in the reception area has been altered in keeping with the government request for social distancing (every second chair has been removed)

• When necessary, patients may be moved to a vacant treatment room where they are to wait for their practitioner

• We request that only the patient booked for their appointment attend the clinic unless of course, the patient is a minor, where one adult may accompany them

• We are spacing appointments to avoid clustering in the reception area and to allow ample time for disinfecting

• We ask that you attend your appointments on time to avoid crossover with others who have attended on time

• If you would prefer to wait in your car before your appointment please contact our reception desk so we can advise you when your practitioner is ready for you

• We offer telehealth appointments for Naturopathy, Podiatry & Physiotherapy services for those who are unable to attend in-person. To access this service, all that is required is any device that has access to the internet such as your phone.

 

5. Rescheduling appointments for those who are unwell or travelled overseas

• If you have a cold, flu, runny nose, cough, chills, fever or you believe you may be coming down with a respiratory illness, please call the clinic to reschedule your appointment. If you are unwell it is best you stay home for the mandatory 14 days and get tested

• If you have had contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19, it is required you self-isolate for 14 days and get tested. This means you cannot attend an appointment at Brunswick Health Clinic until the 14 days of isolation has concluded, you have no symptoms and you tested negative

• If you have arrived from overseas or had contact with a person who has recently travelled overseas, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days and get tested

• If you develop any respiratory symptoms or fever, please call National Corona Virus help line Ph 1800 020 080 and also call us to reschedule all your appointments until your results are confirmed negative

 

We will continue to keep you updated with any further changes until then, see you at your appointment!