COVID19
Unsure if you should get a COVID test? The current recommendations in NSW are for anyone with any symptoms of respiratory illness to be tested for COVID. This includes even the mildest of common cold symptoms that in any other season we would be happy to soldier on with. These symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore or scratchy throat, fever or shortness of breath. Loss of taste or smell is another symptom more specific to COVID. Severity of symptoms cannot be used to differentiate COVID from other respiratory illnesses.
We are not providing routine COVID testing at Kiama Medical Practice, as we do not have sufficient PPE to provide this service.
We are performing swabs for some of our usual patients at the time of clinical examination if required. This is only after an initial telehealth consultation with a doctor.
If you need a COVID test but don't think you need to see a doctor, you can find the locations for COVID testing here https://www.nsw.gov.au/…/how-to-protect-yourself-a…/clinics…. Alternatively you can have a telehealth consultation with a doctor and receive a referral for one of the Drive through testing clinics operated by Southern Pathology or Laverty pathology.
Kiama Medical Practice is a safe place to attend for your usual medical care, but we need your help to keep it that way! There are face to face appointments available, however telehealth (phone or video) remains a good alternative for many consultations. This helps us to maintain social distancing in the waiting room. Telehealth appointments can be booked online, however you will need to speak to reception to book a face to face consultation. Please answer all the screening questions truthfully, even if you don't think you have COVID.
Together we can continue the great job we have been doing in NSW to keep COVID numbers down!
29 June 2020
