Journalists wanting to speak to an ACRRM spokesperson are invited to contact Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or email.
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) President Dr Ewen McPhee is at the forefront of COVID-19 preparation, opening Australia’s first rural COVID-19 respiratory clinic in Emerald today.
The respiratory clinic will enable local community members to be seen and tested for the virus if they meet the criteria in a safe environment, without posing a risk to patients seeking regular medical treatment at the Emerald GP clinic. It is the first rural site of the 100 GP-led respiratory clinics being established around the country to assess patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
“Getting this clinic to an operational stage has been an incredible community effort and one we are pleased to establish for residents of Emerald and surrounding areas,” Dr McPhee says. “The clinic will support patients seeking local care and take the pressure off of the Emergency Department.
“It is a welcome addition to Pandemic Response in our community, made possible through the combined efforts of the Central Highlands Health Care Board, local trades people, the Department of Regional Health, and Aspen Medical, which has significant national and international experience to mobilise and rollout clinics such as this.
“As a Rural Generalist, I know how important it is that rural and remote communities are equipped for this pandemic.
“Our doctors have a broad range of specialist skills to deliver high-quality healthcare. “Respiratory clinics such as these will ensure they can provide that care in safe surroundings which are purpose-built and will ease the pressure on our existing local services.”
The Government has invested more than $200 million to establish dedicated respiratory clinics throughout rural and regional Australia.
This initiative builds on recent announcements including the availability of telehealth services to the whole population, additional practice incentives and mental health support packages.
“On behalf of ACRRM, I welcome the Government’s commitment to rural General Practitioners and their communities during this pandemic. “These initiatives have been put in place following consultation with key health stakeholders and we welcome the collaborative approach that is being undertaken,” Dr McPhee says.