The North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) is pleased to support the opening of GP-led respiratory clinics in Ballina and Murwillumbah.
The NCPHN’s CEO Julie Sturgess said the clinics would play a vital role in supporting patients in Ballina and Murwillumbah and surrounding areas throughout the pandemic.
‘Importantly, this respiratory clinic will help the local health care services – taking the pressure off hospitals and general practices by providing dedicated treatment to people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of fever or sore throat, cough, fatigue or shortness of breath,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘I encourage anyone in our community experiencing these symptoms to call the clinic or go online to book a free appointment.
‘This clinic will help to reduce pressure on local hospitals’ emergency departments and allow other local medical practices to treat people who aren’t showing signs that may relate to coronavirus.
‘It is important to remind people that good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, maintaining social distancing and staying at home remain the best defense against COVID-19.’
Murwillumbah clinic
Murwillumbah Respiratory Clinic director Dr Doug Warne said the clinic was seeing 20 to 30 patients daily. Each appointment takes about 15 minutes.
‘Almost everyone coming in is being swabbed,’ Dr Warne said. ‘Most people have relatively mild symptoms, but they want to be tested to protect themselves and their loved ones.’
Clinic in Ballina
Dr Tonya Coren, principal GP of Cape Byron Medical Centre, is leading the clinical team coordinating the Ballina respiratory clinic.
Dr Coren says collaboration between health care professionals and organisations such as Cherry Street Sports and NCPHN is the most effective way to achieve positive outcomes for the community, in response to COVID-19 and beyond.
‘It has been such a pleasure working together to establish the respiratory clinic in Ballina,’ said Dr Coren. ‘Sharing our resources and knowledge, and the concerted effort from everyone involved has been really wonderful.
The NCPHN is one of 31 PHNs located throughout Australia that are working with local hospital districts to advise the Commonwealth Department of Health on the best locations for the clinics right across the country.
Book online
People should visit health.gov.au and use the online booking system to make an appointment. The Ballina Respiratory Clinic is open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Murwillumbah Respiratory Clinic is open Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 4.45pm.
Appointments must be booked online. When attending, patients should wait in their car and ring the clinic to minimise potential contact with others.
The Australian Government is establishing respiratory clinics at key North Coast locations. The clinics will operate out of existing medical practices. They will complement NSW Health’s existing COVID-19 / fever clinics at Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.
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