Just as the Andrews Government is reminding all Victorians not to get complacent about COVID-19, I’d like to say the same to staff.
You’ve all done an incredible job as Western Health has prepared for the pandemic over the past few months, but we can’t afford to let our guards down. While we’ve had far fewer COVID-19 patients than anticipated, the international experience tells us that this could change at any moment.
With that in mind, I’d like to remind you to maintain the principles of social distancing as much as possible and to get tested if you have any suspicions you might have COVID-19. Test results are now available within 24 hours.
Today I’d also like to pass on my thanks to all staff involved in running our Respiratory Assessment Clinic at Sunshine.
Russell Harrison and I have both received a lot of positive feedback about everyone involved in the process – from the public’s first point of contact with security and reception desk staff, right through to the clinical teams conducting the assessments and testing. Well done on providing such an exceptional service.
Thanks for reading,
Natasha
Covid-19 Daily Summary
• Respiratory Assessment Clinic presentations yesterday: 31
• Numbers of individuals tested for COVID-19 at Western Health to date: 4527
• Numbers of individuals tested positive to date: 74
• Numbers of current inpatients with COVID-19: 1
Launch of Telehealth video calls
Today Western Health launched Telehealth video call capability, commencing with the Addiction Medicine clinic. Pre-Admission Clinic will join tomorrow. The launch of Telehealth at Western Health is part our COVID-19 response. It will improve patient and clinician access to our clinics and services and will continue when the pandemic is over.
A Telehealth video call consultation is just like any other consultation at Western Health, except the patient will be speaking to their healthcare professional on a video screen, rather than face-to-face in the hospital or via the telephone.
This means patients can connect with their healthcare professional from their home, from work, or from wherever is most convenient, using everyday devices – smartphones, tablets or desktop computers.
The platform is secure and is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services. Patients do not need an account, special software or dial-in details, which reduces the need for extra resources or systems to support video consulting.
Respiratory Assessment Clinic hours and screening tool
From Thursday April 23, the Respiratory Assessment Clinic will be open 7 days a week between 10am-6pm for both staff and the public.
Western Health staff presenting to the clinic can do so between 10am-6pm via the Pod 1 entrance via the main hospital (outside lifts 16 and 17 of the ASB).
Prior to attending, WH staff are encouraged to complete a self-screening tool to assist with triage, which can be accessed here.