The COVID positive pathways program at Banyule Community Health (part of North East Metro Health Service Partnership) will stand down on 1st June 2023 and the last group of clients managed within this program will cease on 14th June 2023.
This partnership program delivered by 5 Community Health Services since October 2022, has supported 8,268 clients via telehealth nursing (26,213 calls), remote monitoring and improved access to timely health care and social support services 7 days per week.
Sincere thanks and congratulations to both our COVID positive pathways team and Community Connector team for their dedication and hard work in keeping our community safe and connected during the past 8 months and contributing to a successful partnership.
Whilst the COVID positive pathways team provided individualised care and support to members of our local community diagnosed with COVID-19 who needed care and support to recover at home, the Community Connector team provided targeted outreach services to priority population groups who experience systemic challenges to accessing timely care and support for reasons associated with age, disability, ethnicity, cultural safety, social disadvantage and/or isolation.
Where to get care & support if you have COVID-19
- Your GP – call your usual GP to ask if they can see you in person or via a telehealth (telephone) appointment.
- Accessing antiviral medication – People aged over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30, and those living with health risk factors, chronic conditions, and immunosuppression (weakened immune system) are urged to check their eligibility for COVID medicines and contact their General Practitioner or a free GP Respiratory Clinic, even if their symptoms are mild. If you can’t get an appointment, or there is not a Respiratory Clinic in your area, you can contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. For more information, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covid-19-medicines
- The National Coronavirus Helpline – 1800 020 080 is available 24/7 to provide information and support for Victorians testing positive for COVID-19.
- GP Respiratory Clinics – offer assessment, testing and treatment for people with respiratory conditions (including COVID-19). Clinics can also provide antiviral medication prescription for eligible people who cannot get an appointment with their usual GP. GP Respiratory Clinics are free for everyone, with or without a Medicare card. To check if there is a clinic in your area, or to make an appointment visit health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/gp-respiratory-clinics-and-hospital-respiratory-clinics-covid-19.
- Nurse-on-call – direct contact with a registered nurse for free, caring, professional health advice, call 1300 60 60 24 from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day.
- Victorian Virtual Emergency Department – a public health service for non-life-threatening emergencies. Access emergency care from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service can also prescribe anti-viral medication for eligible people who cannot get an appointment with a GP. For more information, visit vved.org.au/patients/
- Accessing Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) – Most local councils and some community health organisations and private pathology centres in Victoria are offering free RATs. Visit Get a COVID-19 test to see what is available in your area.