To Our Valued Patients

Your health remains our number one priority!

With significant measures being taken across the country to combat the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), I want to reassure you that Southern Regional Medical Group, as an essential service provider, remains fully operational during government restrictions on non-essential activity.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we will also be adapting our model of service delivery to ensure that we can continue to care for you throughout this pandemic. To this end we have already made some changes which are focussed on patient safety, staff safety and doctor safety. These changes are:

1. We will conduct rigorous screening of all patients, both at the time of making an appointment and upon attending the practice. This is to ensure that we can provide you with the most appropriate care whilst doing so in the safest manner possible;
2. We will offer, and in some cases insist on, consultations to be conducted via Telehealth (Telehealth includes telephone and video consultations). A few of our doctors may even exclusively provide Telehealth services;
3. Because the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to that that of a cold or flu, we will treat everyone presenting with those symptoms as a higher risk. This is done to minimise the risk to staff, patients and the community. Therefore, if you have any of these symptoms – high fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath, we would like to assure you that we WILL continue to care for you, just with a few precautions;
4. We are performing regular and thorough cleaning of all patient waiting areas, door handles and flat surfaces in the practice;
5. In the area of Obstetrics, our GP Obstetricians are collaborating with their colleagues in other practices to ensure that we can provide continuity of care should one or more of the doctors in a team be unfortunate enough to contract the virus;
6. Where possible and appropriate our administrative staff will be working from home, without compromising our customary excellent patient service;
7. Throughout the practice we will advocate and enforce the principles of social distancing and hygiene.

We will also start with our flu-vaccination program slightly earlier than in previous years. By vaccinating earlier and reducing the number of flu’s this season we will be able to have a more focussed approach to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our clinics will be conducted in accordance with the principles of social distancing and hygiene and I would encourage everyone to have their flu shot.

I would like to close off in the same way that I’ve started, and that is to assure you that your health remains our number one priority. If you’re uncertain of whether or not to make an appointment to see one of our doctors, please don’t hesitate to give our wonderful reception staff a call so that they can assist you with the right advice.

I wish you best of health during these trying times.

Best regards,

Dr Clark Wasiun (Practice Director)