Topic: COVID-19

GPs, registered nurses (RNs) and pharmacists can be reimbursed for their time when vaccinating patients at home, in disability homes or in Residential Aged Care Homes, through SWSPHN’s Assertive Outreach COVID-19 program.

You can claim:

• the vaccination as an MBS item through Medicare
• for the time spent doing the vaccination, through SWSPHN

• • $150 per hour + GST for GPs
  • $80 per hour + GST per hour for RNs and pharmacists

To claim the reimbursement, two to three residents should be vaccinated per aged care home visited and at least one person per home visit.

You cannot claim travel time to and from the home or aged care facility.

You will need to submit:

• one reporting document monthly
• an invoice
• a completed new supplier form if you have never received payment from SWSPHN

The Australian Government has approved the use of new COVID-19 XBB 1.5 vaccines.

All available COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide strong protection against serious disease.

The new XBB 1.5 vaccines have been found to provide modest improved protection against the COVID-19 strains circulating in the community. The XBB 1.5 vaccines will be available along with the existing bivalent vaccines.

There is no change to current vaccine eligibility recommendations.

The new vaccine is a good reminder for people to get vaccinated if they haven’t had their recommended dose(s) in 2023. For people who have had their 2023 COVID-19 vaccination(s) they do not need to get vaccinated again and remain well protected against severe disease from COVID-19.

Pfizer’s monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine will be available for use in eligible people aged five years and older, while the Moderna monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine can be used for those aged 12 years and older.

Check your eligibility

Providers can order this new vaccine, with doses being delivered ready to administer from 11 December 2023.

Sites which receive their orders earlier than this date can commence administration as soon as they receive them.

Read ATAGI’s statement

Positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) results can no longer be registered with Service NSW. The RAT registration portal closed on Sunday, 1 October.

However, NSW Health still recommends:

• People stay at home and don’t visit high-risk settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals if they have cold or flu symptoms.
• People who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should make a plan about testing and antiviral medicines before they get sick.
• People who are unwell and can’t contact their doctor, can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or use the online Service Finder.
• People at high-risk of severe disease should be tested for COVID-19 to facilitate access to antivirals.
• Using the antiviral medicine pre-assessment action plan to support the timely management of respiratory illness, particularly in the elderly who continue to be severely affected by COVID-19.
• Older people or those with a high-risk of severe disease should have a COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Please note, free rapid antigen tests are no longer available at Service NSW locations. Rapid antigen tests can still be purchased at pharmacies and supermarkets.

The Australian Government has distributed the following Provider Bulletin (23 March) for COVID-19 vaccine providers.

It includes:  

• Bivalent Vaccines
  • Updated COVID-19 vaccine comparison poster
  • Reminder of vaccines for booster dose and primary course dose
  • Additional orders
  • Moderna declarations
• Reminders
  • AstraZeneca vaccine expiry and offboarding reminder
• Resources
  • Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) 12 years and over (prefilled syringe)
• Factsheet
• Don’t forget to check poster
• New training module
• March 14 webinar
  • General
• ATAGI booster FAQ
• ATAGI clinical guidance
• AIR codes table

Are you an allied health provider working in South Western Sydney?

We’d like to hear from you via our Long COVID Allied Health survey.

The survey aims to identify gaps in service provision related to long COVID.

The information provided through the survey will be used to develop resources to support allied health workers provide the best care for their patients with long COVID.

Visit HealthChat and login or register to take the survey.

If you have any questions or feedback, please email COVID19@SWSPHN.com.au

Long COVID is an emerging issue, and our understanding of the condition is evolving. The Agency for Clinical Innovation has developed a clinical practice guide for assessment and management of adults with long COVID-19.

HealthPathways is developed based on this guidance and can be used to guide assessment and management for patients with Long COVID.

In NSW, the long-COVID-19 model of care outlines a stepped approach across four stages through which people with symptoms of Long COVID-19 may receive care:

• Self-management: Most people with symptoms of Long COVID-19 will self-manage these symptoms. Primary care support may be required by GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS’) or community primary care providers such as physiotherapists and exercise physiologists.
• GP/AMS management: Individuals will receive care and management through their GP (and GP team, where available) and/or AMS, where self-management alone is not sufficient.
• Integrated Care management by LHD: For people whose care can no longer be managed by GPs or AMS’ alone, locally-based Integrated Care Planned Care for Better Health (PCBH) teams can support navigation and coordination of care, and/or facilitate referral to specialist services, as required.
• Multidisciplinary specialised care by LHD teams: Some people may require review and management via a multidisciplinary specialist service. This may occur through referral in stage 2, or in some circumstances, GPs/AMS’ with well-established partnerships with specialist services may refer directly to these services based on the referral criteria outlined in the Community HealthPathway.

Throughout all stages of care, the person’s GP/AMS remains a core member of the healthcare team.

We have included the below resources that you can use with patients who present with post-COVID-19 symptoms.

HealthPathways – Post-COVID-19 conditions