With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaration of the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says the government’s $2.4 billion health package becomes even more timely.
College President Dr Ewen McPhee says the government’s health package will assist to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on all Australians and support rural and remote communities and practitioners in responding more effectively to the current situation.
“The package recognises the significant workload on GPs and practices are playing a vital role in the ongoing management of the COVID-19 outbreak,” Dr McPhee says.
From Friday, patients in home isolation or quarantine as a result of COVID-19 will have access to bulk-billed telehealth consultations through Medicare. The service will also be available for non-coronavirus related consultations for people at higher risk, including people aged over 70, people with chronic disease, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50, people who are immunocompromised, those who are pregnant, and parents with babies.
“The College supports the ‘stay at home, use the phone’ message being promoted to the general public, and while the advice to contact a local GP by phone was sound, it was placing a significant and unremunerated workload on doctors and their workplace.
“Access to phone and video consultation not only reduces the need for patients to travel, it considerably decreases public health risk in areas where an outbreak of COVID-19 is detected.”
Dr McPhee says the package supports areas where communities are particularly vulnerable, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and regions where there are high number of fly-in, fly-out workers.
“Funding will enable the testing and screening of these workers and assist to evacuate early cases if required.
“Mobile fever clinics will also be established in areas where there is limited hospital and health care services, to effectively respond to outbreaks.
“Senior Australians will be supported with more than $100 million put towards improving infection control and providing workers in areas of need.”
“We look forward to receiving further information, particularly on telehealth MBS items, in the coming days.
Dr McPhee says the announcement of a pandemic should not cause further alarm
“These announcements demonstrate that the Government is responding to calls for action from the College and other health professional bodies.
“This is a unique situation and one that requires clear communication, rapid and effective response and consideration of all communities, including those at risk in rural and remote communities,” Dr McPhee says.