Three GP-led Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) will continue to operate across South Western Sydney until Tuesday, 28 February.
The clinics at Fairfield, Campbelltown and Mittagong have been testing patients for COVID-19 since May 2020. The clinics began delivering vaccinations in March 2021.
Last month, the Australian Government announced a new GPRC Panel (GPRCP) model will be implemented for activation during health emergencies to ensure sufficient surge capacity is in place to respond to future COVID-19 waves or any other respiratory health emergency.
Under the new panel arrangement, up to 150 existing, accredited GP clinics across Australia will be held in reserve to be activated as needed.
The government is in the process of recruiting practices.
The GPRCPs will begin operating in March this year.
Reminders:
Vaccinations
The COVID-19 vaccine is free for everyone in Australia. People aged five years or older can receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is also recommended for some children aged six months to under five years.
Find more information on which vaccines and doses are recommended for each age and population group.
Find a clinic and book your vaccinations via the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Testing
Changes to PCR testing for COVID-19 came into effect on Sunday, 1 January 2023.
Key points:
- PCR tests remain free for everyone who needs them.
- People at high risk of COVID-19 can access tests free through state testing sites and GP-led Respiratory Clinics without a GP referral. This includes: older Australians; First Nations people; people with disability; people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities; people living in remote communities; people with complex underlying health conditions; and the immunocompromised.
- Those considered low risk, can get a bulk billed PCR test from a private pathologist with a referral from a GP or nurse practitioner.
The Federal Government has developed a factsheet outlining the changes.