575 Mt Eden Road
Phone: 623 4599

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453

For the latest daily update from the Ministry of Health click here

For information from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service click here.

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Dear 575 patients,

We want to reassure you that we will continue to see you for all your regular health needs.  However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are introducing some additional services to ensure that we can provide you with safe, efficient and effective primary healthcare.   

Phone consultations are now available for our enrolled patients where this is appropriate.  We are investigating video consultations, and these will be available soon.  Your doctor can order blood tests online and we can fax prescriptions through to a pharmacy for you. We are also investigating online prescriptions.

For information about phone consultations click here


What do I do if I am unwell?

It is vitally important if you have any symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing that you advise us when booking your appointment. We want to see you, but please make sure you inform us AHEAD of your visit.

If you are concerned that you may have COVID-19, you have had any recent international travel or have been in contact with a confirmed case, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.  

PLEASE DO NOT COME INTO OUR CLINIC DIRECTLY WITHOUT INFORMING US FIRST.

When you arrive for your appointment please call reception on 09 623 4599 from your car.  We will then advise you to stay in your car with your mobile phone turned on so the doctor or nurse can call you.

We have been and will continue to test for COVID-19 according to the up to date case definition at the discretion of the doctor. We will be following latest advice from public health.   A suspected COVID-19 assessment is a lengthy process which begins with a phone consultation from the car. The doctor will then do a physical examination wearing protective equipment and may take swabs from the back of the throat and through the nose.

We will not be swabbing everyone with respiratory symptoms.  We will assess each patient individually and decide whether swabs are indicated based on the latest public health recommendations.

Any patient with severe symptoms will need to be assessed and tested in hospital. We will call the hospital first and arrange for you to be seen as quickly as possible.

If attending for non COVID-19 related matters, you are welcome to wait outside, but please notify reception of your arrival and where you are planning to wait.

For the current COVID-19 case definition click here.

What can I do to protect myself?

It is very important that we 'flatten the curve' to prevent the rapid spread of this virus and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.  Current information shows most people with this virus are not severely ill, although some become extremely sick and need hospital care.

As with other respiratory illnesses, it’s important you practice safe hand, cough and sneeze hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.

  • Frequently and thoroughly wash and dry your hands (with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds).
    • After the toilet
    • After coughing or sneezing
    • Before preparing food and before eating
    • After touching “public” surfaces such as handrails, supermarket trolleys.
    • At regular intervals during the day
    • Alcohol based hand sanitiser is also a useful alternative option if soap and water is not readily available. 
  • Practice good cough and sneeze hygiene. That means:
    • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a disposable tissue, then put used tissues in a bin and wash your hands afterwards.
    • Carry disposable tissues in your bags/pockets.
  • Avoid touching your face. Viruses can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Social distancing.
    • Maintain a distance of 1 metre or more away from unwell people.
    • Stay off work or school if you are at all unwell and do not attend non-essential activities.
  • There is now mandatory self-isolation for 14 days after any overseas travel.

This is a good time to be prepared and review your emergency kit.

  • Could you live for 2 weeks on the food you have in storage? If not, it is a good time to stock up on non-perishables like rice, pasta and tinned goods.
  • Ensure you have at least a 2-week supply of your regular medications at all times.
  • Keep a supply of cold and flu remedies on hand - some medicines such as Paracetamol can make the illness less unpleasant.
Get your annual flu vaccination – these will be available from early April.  We will be informing all patients over 65 years and those with certain chronic health conditions by text when they are available. We will inform you via our website.



 

 

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