Exclusive: State-wide directive sent a week before Christmas tells doctors they are now responsible for low-risk patients in the community
have been left scrambling less than a week before Christmas after the state health department told them they will now be responsible for the management of Covid patients in the community.informed GPs through the state’s 10 primary health networks that there is a new state-wide approach for the management of low-risk Covid-positive patients, effective immediately. It came as NSW hit another Covid record on Wednesday, reporting 3,763 new cases.
An urgent meeting was held on Tuesday night by the health network with GPs who are distressed about how to manage Covid patients at such short notice. One Sydney clinician told Guardian Australia that while GPs knew such a move was on the cards, they assumed the government would give them more notice before implementing it, along with additional support and resources.
The president of the NSW branch of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Danielle McMullen, who is a GP, said most of the low-risk patients would have minimal symptoms. McMullen said she was shocked there was no additional funding offered to GP practices. “We need more flexible funding offered to general practices so they can field the calls that will come and have them handled by the most appropriate staff member,” she said.Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Initiative aims to drive up breast cancer screening rates by involving GPs
Read more »
NSW posts record 3,763 new daily COVID-19 cases as Victoria reports 1,503NSW has reported 3,763 new daily COVID-19 cases, while Victoria has recorded 1,503 infections as concern about the spread of Omicron grows ahead of a snap national cabinet meeting:
Read more »
NSW sets new national daily COVID-19 case record with 3,057 infectionsNSW has again recorded the highest-ever number of new daily COVID-19 infections in Australia as Omicron fears grow:
Read more »
Victoria records 1503 new virus casesVictoria has recorded 1503 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday as health authorities warn Victorians about how to celebrate Christmas in a Covid-safe way.
Read more »
Victoria’s COVID cases slightly drop again, but deaths increaseVictoria has recorded a COVID-19 case drop, but there have been several more deaths. 7NEWS
Read more »