How We Plan to Support You During Covid-19
Remember when I said that we had big things coming this year? This was not what I meant.
If you read my last blog, you will recall that I outlined a list of changes happening within our practice to manage Covid-19. Since my last blog, things have changed again considerably, so I thought it might be a good idea to share another update with you all.
As of Monday 30th March, most of our services are now operating via telehealth. The recent government announcements have allowed us to provide this service across all of our disciplines, including GPs, Psychologists, Speech Pathologists and Dietitians. Our decision to move to complete telehealth services was not taken lightly. We would much rather be seeing your smiling faces in person, however at the moment, telehealth is the safest option to ensure the wellbeing of all of our clients and staff.
We appreciate that participating in a telehealth session is a little confusing and overwhelming. Please believe me when I say we feel the same! As I mentioned, we would much rather see you in person. We really appreciate your patience and support in giving telehealth a try, and working with us on creative ways that we can support you. We feel that now more than ever, people need to take care of their physical and mental health, so we want to continue to support you with this whatever way we can.
Our preference is for a video session with you. This allows us to still see your face, which is so much nicer while we are physically distancing. For our GPs, it will also assist them in performing some of their normal examinations, just a little more virtually. To conduct a video session, all you will need is your phone, iPad, or PC. You will receive a link from us. If you click the link and follow some brief prompts, you will enter our virtual "waiting room". The provider can see that you are waiting for them, just like they would in our real waiting rooms. Once they are ready for you, they will start the call. The links for our telehealth sessions are coming out in your reminder texts, however I have also included them below for easy reference.
Macquarie Health Collective
https://vcc.healthdirect.org.au/t/macquariehealthcollective/join
Macquarie Valley Family Practice
https://vcc.healthdirect.org.au/t/macquarievalleyfamilypractice/join
If you do not have the internet, and you need to have a telephone call instead, we can arrange this. If the provider feels they need to be able to see you, they will then discuss these details with you.
At the moment, many of these consultations will be bulk billed. Some of our providers are also offering reduced rates for other sessions. We understand that many people are currently financially strained, and we want to do what we can to reduce these barriers so that you can continue to access the healthcare that you need. The providers will be releasing more details specific to their individual sessions over the coming days. If you have any questions, you can always contact our receptionists on 6882 7113, or 6884 3355.
We will continue to brainstorm novel ways to support you. If you have any ideas for something you would like from us, please reach out. In the meantime, expect to see some unexpected things from our team the next little while. Stay tuned on our social media for more..
Take care,
x Tanya