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UPDATED: 10 October 2023

PATIENTS WITH COLD/FLU SYMPTOMS

If you have ANY respiratory symptoms (aka cold/Covid/flu symptoms), please refer to our Contagious Disease page. DO NOT COME TO THE CLINIC WITH ANY RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS. You can book a Car Consult, or a Phone Consult, or go to a GP Respiratory Clinic. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL REMAINING GP RESPIRATORY CLINICS WILL CLOSE ON 31 OCTOBER 2023. HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL ATTEND A PRIORITY PRIMARY CARE CENTRE - SEE OUR AFTER HOURS SERVICES FOR DETAILS.

The best way to get a COVID-19 and flu test is to go to a GP Respiratory Clinic. These are all bulk bill services, and if you book the correct appointment type you can be tested AND a GP will conduct a comprehensive respiratory assessment and offer support in the management of your illness if required. Bookings are generally available online, and you can often get an appointment on the same day. Some offer a walk-in service, which may involve a wait-time - see their websites for details.

The closest resipratory clinics to our clinic are:

You can also call the dedicated government COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.

patients who test positive to covid-19 (pcr or rat)

If you have tested postive to COVID-19 (whether via a PCR or a rapid-antigent test), please ensure you follow the Victoria Government Checklist for COVID Cases.

If you are COVID postive and need to speak to a GP and are an existing patient, you can book a Phone Consult.

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masks

Currently, masks are not required for patients (unless the doctor you are seeing requires otherwise).

COVID-19 Vaccine

Please refer to our COVID-19 vaccine page for information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including booking details and information about booster doses.

continuing to stop the spread

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Even if you are fully vaccinated, the hard work is not done yet, and we all need to remain vigilant, including:

  • Follow the restrictions on meetings with others.

  • Get tested if you feel sick (see the symptoms to watch our for below, plus details of how to get tested).

  • Isolate yourself immediately at home if you feel sick, until you get your test result.

  • Work from home if you can.

  • Maintain social distancing, by stating at least 1.5m from other people at all times.

  • Wash hands often with soap and running water (or with alcohol based hand sanitizer), for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.

  • Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.

  • Wear a face mask in accordance with the government’s requirements.

  • Don’t shake hands or touch others.

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home visit testing

A Call-to-Test service will provide in-home COVID-19 testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested. This includes older Victorians, Victorians with a disability, carers and those with an illness that might prevent them from leaving home.

Book a phone consult with your GP to obtain a referral. Either before or after you have your phone consult, you should call the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398  and select option 9 to find out if you are eligible. If eligible, testers will visit your home within 48 hours. If you are not eligible for in-home testing, see below for other testing options.

You can read more here for information about in-home COVID-19 testing.

COVID-19 TEST REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL

If you are required to get a COVID-19 test prior to travel, you can book at a pathology centre for your test, such as 4Cyte Pathology in Bentleigh.

You don’t need a referral from a GP, but you do need to pay for the test. See their website for more details.

mental health - looking after yourself

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It's important to look after your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for resources on ensuring you and your family and friends stay mentally well.

NEW: The Federal Government has announced that Melbournians can access an additional 10 Medicare subsidised psychology sessions.

You can book a phone consultation with your GP for a mental health care plan review if you have used all of the sessions on your existing plan - you need to book a long (30 minute) consult.

Patients who have not suffered mental health issues before but who are struggling with COVID-19 restructions should also consider booking a phone consultation with their GP for help and advice, and you may be suitable for a mental health care plan referral to a psychologist. Again, ensure you book a long (30 minute) consult.

Infection control

If you do come to our clinic, you can rest assured that:

  • our clinic is regularly cleaned, especially high-contact surfaces such as door handles and the reception counter;

  • we have set up an outdoor waiting area so social distancing recommendations can easily be met; and

  • patients with cold and flu symptoms are generally kept out of the clinic – if anyone with cold and flu symptoms does need to come to the clinic, this is done outside of times that other patients are in attendance, and anyone with a suspected case of COVID-19 will be directed to a testing centre rather than to our clinic. 

more information

If you would like more information about COVID-19:

Click here for resources about COVID-19 in other languages.