Greetings from lockdown in North Queensland! 

Here in Townsville I am joining members from parts of the NT, NSW, WA as well as other Queenslanders who are staying home to limit the spread of COVID-19. It has worked out with reasonable timing, as I had my 2nd AZ vaccine - although outside the ATAGI guidelines for my age, the changes occurred after my initial vaccination, so I have completed the course as advised by ATAGI, and my GP. 

I’m aware that as a FIFO worker, I have the benefit of returning to my metro community to access the vaccine, which is not the case for many of you out there. This week, Pfizer vaccines are being delivered to GP clinics across the country, so for those of you under 60 who have not had access so far, this should be rectified in the coming weeks.  

This week has been fairly tumultuous for most of us, for many reasons. There remains a significant threat of outbreaks of the pandemic in some of our most vulnerable communities. The mixed messaging from political leaders about vaccination has created further chaos in an already complex vaccine rollout. 

From my perspective, the decision to vaccinate belongs to the patient. It is our job as GPs to provide factual information and help them apply the risks and benefits to their own circumstances.  Most of us are having these conversations on a daily basis - and these conversations are getting longer and more complex as a result of these political processes.  

In Primary Care, this is our version of long COVID. I wish I could tell you it will all be over soon. 

I want to take the time to acknowledge the work of all our members across the country, who are working hard, to protect their patients and communities. Many of whom haven’t had a proper break since before the bushfires of Summer 19/20. Many of whom don’t have access to regular locum relief. Many of whom are managing the influx of tourists towing caravans around the countryside instead of travelling overseas. Many of whom are working evenings and weekends to vaccinate their communities without compromising primary care services. 

Thankyou to all our members working to care for their communities. Thankyou to your families who support you. Thankyou to your nursing and allied health colleagues working alongside you. Thankyou to your reception, management and admin staff who are often frontline in much of this chaos. Thankyou to those in leadership positions, providing advice and support to state and federal governments, ensuring that the voices of rural and remote doctors are heard, and that our communities are considered in their decisions.  

Please take care of yourselves - take breaks when you can, spend time with families and friends, get some exercise. If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, or just need to talk it over there are lots of options outside your usual kitchen cabinet.

A good start are the resources you'll find on the ACRRM Wellbeing page, including ACRRM's Employee Assistance Program, which is a free service available to members. You can call 1800 818 728 to receive immediate and confidential phone counselling support 24/7 in Australia and overseas. If you are a medical professional or a medical student you can also access a 24/7 helpline via the DRS4DRS program in your state.