News

Orange’s GP-led respiratory clinic established as part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health package response to COVID-19 will open on Wednesday May 20.

The clinic will assess patients with mild to moderate COVID-19-like symptoms, reducing pressure on our hospital emergency departments and other local general practices.

MP for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Andrew Gee, said the local clinic is best placed to support people with fever, cough, sore throat, and other respiratory symptoms, while avoiding the risk of infection in other members of the community.

“I encourage anyone in the local community experiencing these symptoms to call the clinic or go online to book an appointment,” Mr Gee said.

“In the absence of a vaccine testing is a key weapon in the fight against COVID-19. The faster we can test and isolate cases, the more lives we can save and the fewer lock down restrictions we need.

“The Orange community has done a great job in keeping local cases low throughout this pandemic, and we want to keep it that way.

“Residents have abided by social distancing regulations and our health professionals such as the Western NSW Local Health District and the Western NSW Primary Health Network have been extremely proactive in the measures taken to date.

“This respiratory clinic is another great example of the Central West being on the front foot to keep our communities safe by identifying cases quickly.

“The Mudgee clinic was booked out on it’s opening day last week which is evidence that these clinics are working as they should,” said Mr Gee.

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) CEO Andrew Harvey says the Orange Respiratory Clinic complements an enormous amount of work already undertaken by GPs and clinicians across hospital and primary health care, further strengthening the preparedness for COVID-19, and importantly also ensuring the vital business of regular primary care continues unhindered.

“This respiratory clinic provides additional capacity in Orange to support early detection and reinforce services, and I’m very grateful for the support of Bloomfield Medical Centre in helping to set up this important addition to our COVID-19 infrastructure,” Mr Harvey said.

Overview of the clinic – fast facts

• Location: Bloomfield Medical Centre, 1530 Forest Road Orange
• Opening date: Wednesday May 20, 2020.
• Opening days and times: Monday – Friday 8am – 12pm, then from 1pm – 5pm. 
• People with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms can make a booking by phoning Bloomfield Medical Group on 02 5335 6666 or by going online at www.hotdoc.com.au (search for Orange Respiratory Clinic).
• Only attend the clinic at the time of the booking so social distancing can be maintained.
• Patients may be asked to wait in their car until the clinic is ready to receive them.
• Patients will receive clinical advice on how to manage symptoms and an initial follow-up phone call or text message with test results and to check on how they are going.
• After visiting the clinic, patients will remain eligible to continue to consult their regular GP using the Medicare Benefits Schedule telehealth items.

The Orange clinic is one of up to 100 dedicated respiratory clinics being set up across Australia as part of the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The clinics will be staffed by local GPs who will assess, test and diagnose referred respiratory cases, including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia, in a dedicated part of their premises, within strict criteria to safely manage infection control, as part of a FREE service to patients.

Working closely with the Department of Health and Aspen Medical, the Western NSW Primary Health Network collaborated with the Western and Far Western Local Health Districts to ensure a collaborative response to COVID-19.

Patients can make a booking by phoning Bloomfield Medical Group on 02 5335 6666 or online at www.hotdoc.com.au (search for Orange Respiratory Clinic).