The NSW Ministry of Health’s Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAOD) has provided the following advice for opioid treatment prescribers in response to the recent COVID-19 restrictions:
In light of recently announced restrictions to many parts of NSW, opioid treatment prescribers are encouraged to put in place any reasonable measures which support services and patients to avoid the potential for COVID-19 transmission, to stay at home and to reduce congregation at services.
For patients on opioid agonist treatment, these measures may include increased use of telehealth for patient appointments, arranging for dosing at community pharmacies and prescribing an increased number of unsupervised or ‘takeaway’ doses, based on individual clinical risk assessment.
The Ministry continues to provide guidance to support AOD clinicians respond to the changes in COVID-19 risk. A reminder COVID-19 FAQ for OTP patients is available, and may help reassure patients about their care during the pandemic.
If your service has had to make changes to its availability or access for clients due to impacts from COVID-19, CAOD is asking prescribers to fill out a short questionnaire to assist in relaying the information to consumers via the Opioid Treatment Line (OTL).
Alternatively, prescribers can contact the OTL on 1800 642 428 to provide this information over the phone. The OTL is a helpline providing information, advice and referrals relating to the NSW Opioid Treatment Program. OTL operates from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, and temporarily includes weekends and public holidays from 09.30am to 2pm.
In addition to the OTL, consumers can also contact PeerLine, a service operated by the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA) providing peer-based information, support, referrals and advocacy on 1800 644 413 or email peerline@nuaa.org.au