Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for GPs

Accessing PPE in Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots

General practices in Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots can access personal protective equipment (PPE) from the National Medical Stockpile via their local Primary Health Network (PHN).

Contact your PHN to request PPE. 

Telehealth in Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots

Telehealth ‘existing relationship’ rule – Exemption for Commonwealth-declared hotspots

People living in hotspots who wish to access MBS-subsidised telehealth are exempt from the requirement to have seen their GP face to face in the last 12 months.

Visit this page for more information.
 

Longer telephone consultations reinstated in COVID-19 hotspots

Medicare-supported telephone consultations lasting more than 20 minutes are again available to people in Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots.

MBS rebates for Level C telephone consultations with a GP took effect on Friday 16 July. A new MBS item was introduced for a phone attendance by a GP lasting at least 20 minutes, if the service is performed for a person who is in:

• a COVID-19 Commonwealth-declared hotspot
• COVID-19 isolation or quarantine because of a state or territory public health order.

The item is equivalent to MBS items for Level C attendances conducted face to face or via video conference, with a rebate of $75.75. An MBS item for Level C phone attendances by other medical practitioners is also available. 

GPs should treat and test suspected COVID-19 patients in line with the advice from their local public health unit.  
Practices should not conduct consultations or carry out testing on suspected patients if they do not have the appropriate PPE.  Refer these patients to a local GP-led respiratory clinic or testing centre. 

Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 was released by the Department of Health on 10 June 2021. The recommendations were developed with advice from the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Infection Prevention and Control Panel (IPC Panel) . The Taskforce have developed a new decision aid to help you determine the most appropriate respiratory and eye protection. 

Initial assessment

Consider initial screening of patients via a phone or video consultation using the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce flowchart: Assessment for suspected COVID-19 (V4 Published 1 July 2021).   

Only follow up with a face-to-face assessment if a diagnosis of moderate or severe illness cannot be confidently excluded via telehealth assessment. Patients who meet the criteria and who require a face-to-face consultation, should be asked not to enter the practice until precautions are put in place. NB: Patients with severe symptoms suggestive of pneumonia should be managed in hospital. 

Further assessment and the use of PPE

• Apply PPE as determined by a risk assessment
  • Likely low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission - use PPE in accord with existing guidance for Standard, Contact and Droplet Precautions as specified in the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2021). This includes wearign a surgical mask.
  • Likely high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission - use P2/N95 respirators rather than surgical masks, along with the other required PPE as specified in the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2021).
  • The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce (of which the RACGP is a member) has released a new decision aid to help determine the most appropriate respiratory and eye protection - NEW
• Immediately give the patient a surgical mask and ensure they put it on correctly.
• Direct them to a single room, whether or not respiratory symptoms are present.
  •  If a single room is unavailable, an area separate from other patient areas should be designated for assessment of suspected COVID-19 patients.
• The patient should be tested for COVID-19 (if this has not been done already).

Specimen collection

• To collect upper respiratory swabs, stand slightly to the side of the patient to avoid exposure to respiratory secretions, should the patient cough or sneeze.
• Encourage the patient to maintain a slow breathing pattern and not hold the breath as this reduces the likelihood of gagging.

For a detailed description of methods of specimen collection for diagnosis of COVID-19 see: Public Health Laboratory Network guidance on laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2

At the conclusion of the consultation

• Remove PPE and perform hand hygiene
• Room surfaces should be wiped with detergent/disinfectant by a person wearing gloves, surgical mask and eye protection.
• Note that, for droplet precautions, a negative pressure room is not required and the room does not need to be left empty after sample collection.

If GPs and practice staff have worn PPE when dealing with a patient who is then confirmed as having the virus this is not considered a close contact so self isolation for 14 days is not required. 
 

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Public Health Units define confirmed, historical and suspected cases.

Please note that some states and territories have implemented different criteria. Please see your state of territory department of health guidance for further confirmation.

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, of which the RACGP is a collaborating partner, has living guidelines on the management of adults with mild COVID-19. 

Access the clinical flowcharts for:

• Management of adults with mild COVID-19 [Updated 26 August 2021]
• Management of adults with moderate to severe COVID-19 [Updated 26 August 2021]
• Management of people with COVID-19 who are older and living with frailty and/or cognitive impairment [Updated 1 July 2021]
• Management of people with COVID-19 who are receiving palliative care [Updated 1 July 2021]
• Care of people who experience symptoms post acute COVID-19 [Updated 3 June 2021]

Restrictions on prescribing oral ivermectin

Telehealth consultations requiring an interpreter:

The RACGP has released a guide to support GPs conduct telehealth consultations with patients requiring an interpreter. 

Resources for GPs:

• Australian refugee health practice guide
• Guide for clinicians working with interpreters in healthcare settings
• Australian guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD – chapter on the psychological care of traumatised refugees and asylum seekers
• Guide for clinicians working with interpreters in healthcare settings
• Generally Speaking podcast ­– episode on refugee and asylum seeker health

National multilingual resources:

• Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE – 36 multilingual fact sheets containing medical advice and instructions during COVID-19 covering Arthritis, Asthma, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes and Stroke translated into Arabic, Chinese, Chinese (Standard and Simplified), Greek, Italian and Vietnamese
• Etholink Information in your language - translated information from federal, state, territory and local government and the World Health Organization
• SBS Coronavirus information in your language – news and information about COVID-19 in 63 languages
• Department of Home Affairs COVID-19 in your language – information on the current outbreak in multiple languages
• Department of Health Translated resources – fact sheets and posters on the current outbreak in multiple languages
• MyAus COVID-19 App – a multilingual resource for CALD communities on COVID-19 and available supports

State and territory multilingual resources:

New South Wales:

• Transcultural Mental Health Centre
• NSW Health

Queensland:

• Refugee Health Network Queensland
• Queensland Government

Victoria:

• Health Translations 
• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 
• CoHealth

The RACGP has compiled a summary of links to information and resources to support people with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Guidelines for the rights of people with disability during COVID-19

COVID-19 Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support

• Latest advice from the NDIS

• Information for NDIS participants - This page includes information about changes announced on 27 April 2020 to support NDIS participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include increased flexibility to purchase low cost assistive technology, two new support items for participants in Supported Independent Living arrangements, and online access to the Access Request Form and Supporting Evidence Form.

• Information for NDIS providers

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

NSW and Victoria NDIS participants can claim for personal protective equipment (PPE)

Victoria and NSW NDIS participants can recover the cost of purchasing PPE items if they receive an average of at least one hour a day of face-to-face daily living support. Previously, only participants who used PPE as a regular part of their support arrangements were able to access PPE through their NDIS funds.
Further information
 

Australian Government information/resources

• Department of Health – Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for people with disability

• Management and Operational Plan for COVID-19 for People with Disability

• Department of Social Services – Information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about coronavirus (COVID-19) - This page includes information about the Disability Information Helpline.

• Services Australia – People with disability

Disability organisations

• People with Disability Australia

• National Disability Services

• Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

• Council for Intellectual Disability

• First Peoples Disability Network Australia
   

Disability service providers

• Yooralla

• Scope

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) resources

Recommendations for healthcare teams supporting prevention and management of COVID-19 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

The RACGP, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Lowitja Institute and Australian National University (ANU) are working together to develop a series of rolling, evidence-based recommendations to assist healthcare teams with the prevention and management of COVID-19 in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and other primary care settings.

The guidance is available now through NACCHO’s online COVID-19 information hub and includes:

• Managing mild covid-19 in the home: Considerations and recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - A rapid evidence summary
• What are the key considerations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who need to travel outside their community for healthcare or other reasons?
• How do you assess and manage risk of severe COVID-19 illness in primary healthcare workers?
• What needs to be considered to support someone to meet requirements of isolation and quarantine?
• What social and emotional wellbeing and mental health care/support is needed for health care workers (HCWs) in the context of COVID-19?
• How do health care workers minimise their risk of acquiring infection and of spreading infection between patients while physically examining a patient with respiratory symptoms?
• COVID-19 in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD) - Guidance for primary care
• What quarantine measures are required for healthcare workers travelling to remote communities?
• What quarantine measures are required for healthcare workers travelling from higher prevalence areas to low prevalence areas?
• What is best practice when transporting patients who do not have confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2:
  • without fever or respiratory symptoms?
  • with fever or respiratory symptoms?

Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) resources

Access to information and resources from the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) from the AIDA website.   

AIDA are conducting twice-weekly peer support forums for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors. Please contact communications@aida.org.au for log-in details. 

Department of health resources

The Department of Health have released Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities.
 

Management Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Populations

Caring for yourself

During events such as the current coronavirus situation, additional pressure may be placed on GPs and practice staff as frontline workers through increased patient attendance to the practice, responding to fear and anxiety amidst the community and staying up to date as the situation evolves.

It is important during such times that GPs and practice staff take time to care for themselves and take the opportunity to debrief with colleagues. If you require additional support, services are available, specifically developed for doctors.
 

The Essential Network (TEN) for frontline workers

DRS4DRS

You can also access support via the DRS4DRS website and state/territory based helplines. DRS4DRS is an independent program providing confidential support and resources to doctors and medical students across Australia, by doctors. Confidential phone advice is available 24/7 for any doctor or medical student in Australia via each state/territory helpline and referral service.
 

RACGP GP Support Program

Should you need support, don't hesitate to contact the RACGP GP Support Program. This is a free and confidential psychological support service available to all members, delivered by LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell. Access the service by calling 1300 361 008 (24 hours/7 days).
 

Immediate 24/7 supports

Providing mental health and wellbeing support to your patients

GPs play a critical role in the ongoing mental health and wellness of their patients. 

The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) has collated important information to help you support and care for the mental health and wellbeing of your patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This includes:

• Mental health resources - resources, factsheets and guides
• Telehealth consultations - information on MBS item numbers for the provision of telehealth (videoconferencing and phone) consultations by GPs with and without mental health training.

Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service

Do you or your practice provide care in residential aged care or for home care recipients?

Aged care residents, home care recipients, their families, loved ones and staff affected by loss or trauma as a result of COVID-19 can now access free grief, loss and bereavement support services.

Tailored, easy-to-access support is available via the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, including in-person help when possible.

Call 1800 222 220 or visit the Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service website for help, or to download the MyGrief app. All services are inclusive, confidential, and eligible for the Translating and Interpreting Service and Auslan.
 

RACGP COVID-19 resources

You can now find all RACGP COVID-19 resources in one centralised location on the RACGP website. These resources cover:

• Telehealth 
• ​Infection control 
• Resources for patients
• ​Clinical care

National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce resources

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce (of which the RACGP is a member) supports Australia’s healthcare professionals with continually updated, evidence-based clinical guidelines and resources. 

These include:

• Living guidelines
• Clinical flowcharts 
• Recommendations for the prevention of infection 

You can also access frequently asked questions on the use of certain medications in the context of COVID-19 including hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. 
 

CPR during the pandemic

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce (of which the RACGP is a member), in partnership with the Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG), have published clinical flowcharts to guide clinicians and trained first aid responders in delivering potentially lifesaving CPR as safely as possible.

• Preparedness for CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic [Updated 1 July 2021]
• CPR of adults with COVID-19 in healthcare settings [Updated 1 July 2021]
• Basic life support for adults in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic [Updated 1 July 2021]

The John Murtagh Library: COVID-19 evidence and research resources

The John Murtagh Library has curated some resources on COVID-19 to help you find reliable evidence and research literature. These resources include evidence summaries, updated ebooks and texts, ‘live’ literature search links, research portals, and more.  

Access the library's COVID-19 subject portal