Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Assessment clinics

• COVID-19 Assessment Clinics

Information and guidance

• Information on social distancing - DOH
• MBS item numbers - DOH
• MBC changes factsheet - DOH
• Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – DOH
• COVID-19 information page – NSW Health
• Novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) case definition for testing – NSW Health
• COVID-19 frequently asked questions – NSW Health
• COVID-19 information page - DOH
• Coronavirus information for GPs - RACGP
• Interim advice on non-inpatient care of persons with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) - DOH
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for health professionals, including pathology providers and healthcare managers - DOH
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for the general public, health professionals and industry - DOH
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak information page - WHO
• Novel Coronavirus Health Information line - 1800 020 080. Call this line if you are seeking information on novel coronavirus. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Resources for NSW Ambulance and residential aged care facilities

• Information for residential aged care workers (including GPs) - NSW Health
• Information for NSW Ambulance and residential aged care facilities - NSW Health
• Information for residents and their families - NSW Health

Advanced care planning

• Advanced care planning information – Advanced Care Planning Australia

Infection control training

• How to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19 - DOH
• COVID-19 Infection control training – DOH

Infection control resources

• Resources for Health Professionals – NSW Health
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation guidance – DOH
• Managing pandemic influenza in general practice  - RACGP
• Pandemic posters - RACGP
• Infection prevention and control standards - RACGP
• Novel Coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) – Primary and community Care – Clinical Excellence Commission
• Infection control resources - Clinical Excellence Commission
• Correct use of mask information - Clinical Excellence Commission
• Recommended guidance on mask use in NSW - Clinical Excellence Commission

Surgical and P2 / N95 masks

Access to surgical mask and P2 / N95 is being is being facilitated by PHNs as outlined in the Department of Health Advice document Distribution of PPE through PHNs: Tranche 2, Surgical masks and P2/N95 respirators for general practice and community pharmacy.

To ensure equitable access, consideration is being given to service location, practice size, number of GPs, practices offering testing, the number of surgical masks in stock and the number of masks previously distributed. Additional allocation will be on a case-by-case basis for those who have a significant demonstrated need until stocks are depleted.

COORDINARE does not have access to additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). No further advice from the Department of Health has been received by COORDINARE on the provision of additional PPE to general practice, ACCHS, or community pharmacy.

Surgical masks

Surgical masks supplied by PHNs are intended to be provided to general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and, when no local commercial supply is available, community pharmacies:

• for the protection of health professionals and practice / pharmacy staff in direct contact with people presenting with fever and / or respiratory symptoms including cough, sore throat and / or shortness of breath
• for provision to people who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, for the protection of other patients and staff, and for the protection of the public when the patient returns home.

There is no need for the general public or health workers to wear masks unless they are dealing with symptomatic patients.

As supplies are limited, PHNs have been given the role of distributing surgical masks to practices, ACCHS, and community pharmacies with demonstrated need.

Eligibility for general practice (including ACCHS):

• where there is no local supply available commercially
• where practices have a population which may be more likely to have been exposed to COVID-19
• where practices have an unusual number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.

Eligibility for community pharmacies:

• for use of their staff when there is no available commercial supply AND;
• they have significant contact with people presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms.

Masks distributed through PHNs cannot be sold as commercial stock.

If you meet the eligibility requirements above, please complete this online form to request a box of masks.

P2 / N95 masks

P2 / N95 respirators are only required for aerosol generating procedures or where there is uncontrolled coughing. See the relevant factsheet.

PHNs are asked to conserve stocks of P2 / N95 respirators as far as possible.

Distribution of P2 / N95 respirators is limited to general practices (including ACCHS), who need to assess suspected COVID-19 cases because of the unavailability of nearby dedicated respiratory clinics or Emergency Departments (e.g. in some rural and remote communities).

If you are a general practice and meet this criteria for P2 / N95 masks, please complete this online form to request a box of masks.

Download this chart for advice on fitting P2 / N95 masks, and for the correct use of personal protective equipment, please see this resource.

• COVID-19 webinar for general practitioners - 18 March
• COVID-19 webinar for general practitioners – 5 March
• COVID-19 webinar update for general practitioners - 20 February​
• NSW COVID-19 webinar update for general practitioners - 11 February
• NSW COVID-19 webinar update for general practitioners - 4 February
• NSW Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update webinars - Questions and answers

The healthdirect website has some helpful information and tools for consumers / patients.

• specific information on the new COVID-19, including symptoms, spread, rate of infection, diagnosis and treatment
• healthdirect Symptom Checker provides guidance on the appropriate health care action, updated with information on COVID-19. Also available on the healthdirect app.

The following helplines are also available:

• call the Novel Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for people with questions regarding prevention and the spread of COVID-19
• call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse who can provide advice when someone is unsure what to do - whether to see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.