COVID-19 testing has never been easier with all four Commonwealth-funded GP-led respiratory clinics earmarked for South Western Sydney now operating.
The clinics at Fairfield, Campbelltown, Picton and Mittagong are among up to 100 clinics that have been established across the country under the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion National Health Plan.
In March, the government announced $206.7 million to support the rapid establishment of the clinics which are testing and treating the 80 per cent of COVID-19 patients who experience only mild to moderate fever and respiratory symptoms.
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) has been working with the Commonwealth Department of Health and local general practices to identify the most appropriate location for our region’s clinics.
The GP-led respiratory clinics complement the nurse-led flu assessment clinics operating at Bowral, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield and Bankstown hospitals, giving people living in our community greater access to testing.
SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said the respiratory clinics were a crucial part of the mix of healthcare services being used to respond to COVID-19.
“Our clinics have been located as part of an established general practice already dedicated to supporting their communities,” he said.
“The clinics are playing a valuable role in helping to ensure hospitals are preserved for people with severe conditions and allowing GPs to continue to treat their usual patients.”
The GP-led respiratory clinics differ from the flu assessment clinics testing for COVID-19 at local public hospitals, with the respiratory clinics offering both holistic assessment plus screening for patients presenting with mild to moderate fever and respiratory symptoms.
Dr Dong Hua, who is operating the respiratory clinics at Campbelltown and Fairfield, said Fairfield had experienced one of the earliest cases of COVID-19. He said he had opened the clinics to support frontline healthcare workers in helping to flatten the curve.
“Our respiratory clinics in Fairfield and Campbelltown are stand-alone respiratory clinics and are staffed well by GPs and nurses who are well informed about COVID-19 and managing other respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumonias,” Dr Hua said.
“As stand-alone clinics, there is minimal risk to the non-respiratory patients and the broader community.”
Dr Hua said he’d been impressed by what the Commonwealth and State governments had achieved and proud of what the community had achieved in recent weeks by practicing social distancing and good hygiene.
“New cases now are remarkably low but we must not be complacent as the easing of some restrictions is planned,” he said.
“Recent announcements by the government has encouraged the expansion of testing to all those who are experiencing mild to moderate flu like symptoms. These purpose-built respiratory clinics are ideal in minimising transmission through increased testing.
“This, in conjunction with the COVIDSafe app, will help us detect community transmission and do better contact tracing.”
The clinics are located at:
• Fairfield Respiratory Clinic, at 65 Ware Street Fairfield, is open Mondays to Saturdays – Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 1pm.
• Campbelltown Respiratory Clinic, Shop 1, 251 Queen Street, Campbelltown, is open Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm.
• Mittagong GP Respiratory Clinic, at 58 Bowral Road, Mittagong, is open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm.
• Picton Respiratory Clinic, at Shop T28/ 9 Margaret Street, Picton, is open Mondays to Fridays, 1.30pm to 5.30pm.
Patients must make an appointment before attending the clinics. Appointments can be made online via HotDoc or by calling the clinic directly for assistance. Patients can also be referred by their GP or by calling Health Direct.
A full list of local respiratory clinics, flu assessment clinics and local drive-thru clinics operated by private pathology can be found on our website.