Telehealth and Covid-19 update
To all our valued patients and friends,
The ongoing Covid-19 crisis is having unprecedented effects on our day-to-day lives and changing the way we live. At Newcastle Aquatic Physiotherapy our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff, as such this pandemic has increased the complexity and concern in our patient care. We wanted to provide you with a clear update of what is happening from our perspective in order to meet your physiotherapy needs in the safest way possible.
As of Tuesday 24 March, as directed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, private physiotherapy clinics are still able to remain open. This has been encouraged from the Federal minister of Health, Greg Hunt. Now, we understand many of our patients may not be comfortable or able to attend the practice due to the social distancing measures currently in place. We would encourage you to only come into the clinic if absolutely necessary for acute musculoskeletal cases. This is especially important for many of our clients in the at risk age group (65+) to help stop the spread. As such we are establishing a telehealth service where you can continue your physio care via video link online. It is likely this is what all physiotherapy practices will move to in the coming weeks and months.
If you feel this is something you would like to participate in please call the practice to chat with one of our physio’s or reception staff. There is no more important time to be prioritising your health than now, and given the current restrictions on activities, you may have a lot more time to focus on those ongoing niggles and injuries!
At this time telehealth consultations are not rebatable through Medicare or private health providers, however through the APA our profession is working with the relevant bodies and moving extremely quickly to change this. We will notify you as more information comes to light in the coming days. As such we will be offering a reduced rate for online consultations in the interim. We encourage you to discuss this further with your health fund provider for a smoother transition.
Over the coming days and weeks there will be some changes to our staffing and opening hours in our practice which we are continuing to work through behind the scenes. No staff will be working if they are unwell or feel unsafe to work in the current climate. Our physio’s will endeavour to move between online and face-to-face consults in order to limit the number of people in the clinic and maintain the current social distancing measures.
In closing, our priority will continue to be the health and safety of our patients and staff as we do our best to navigate through these testing times. We understand these measures are a change but hope they will enable us to continue caring for you in the weeks and months ahead.
Regards,
Charlie and the NAP Team
