Information for General Practitioners
COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Alfred is actively involved with Victoria’s COVID-19 vaccination program, but our clinic is not presently a designated site for community vaccination.
Please refer to this following link for up-to-date information regarding COVID- 19 vaccinations:
COVID-19 Updates
Alfred Health have a designated COVID-19 page, which is regularly updated and includes useful information and resources for patients, along with other important service updates.
Victorian Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) provides up to date resources, information, plans and guides for health professionals.
South East Melbourne Primary Care Network (SEMPHN) provides COVID-19 information for health professionals in the South East Melbourne area.
Alfred Health Primary Care Management
The Alfred Health Integrated COVID-19 Community Care Pathway provides GPs with COVID-19 resources and contacts which Alfred Health offers.
It outlines the Alfred Health model for managing low-moderate and high-risk patients residing within a specified Alfred Health catchment who have tested positive for COVID-19.
This project is a collaboration between DHHS, Alfred Health, South East Melbourne PHN, Connect Health and Community and Star Health.
Primary Care support for patients in Residential Aged Care Facilities
There are supports available through Alfred Health to assist in the care of patients residing in Residential aged Care Facilities (RACFs).
The Mobile Assessment & Treatment Service (MATS) is a mobile medical and nursing service aimed at providing hospital-type treatment to older people in the community. At this time MATS primarily see people in residential care facilities. MATS accept referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Palliative Care Assessment Service (PATS) is also able to provide assistance with decision-making and goal setting, symptom management and end of life care for patients in RACFs.
Mobile Assessment and Treatment Service | 24 hours, 7 days a week | Phone 1800 007 656 |
Palliative Care Assessment and Treatment Service | 9am-5pm Monday to Friday | Phone 0419 770 087 |
Palliative Care doctor on call | After hours and on weekends | Phone via switchboard on 9076 2000 |
The MATS service have also developed Management of COVID-19 positive patients living in residential aged care facilities to provide practical advice to assist GPs providing care to residents in RACFs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DHHS COVID-19 Positive Care Pathways program
This program aims to give all patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) access to high quality care and support at the right time and in the right setting.
COVID-19 Positive Care Pathways program - Factsheet for referrers
COVID-19 Positive Care Pathways program - Factsheet for clients
The Alfred COVID-19 Screening Clinic
The Alfred COVID-19 Screening Clinic provides free screening to people meeting the current Victorian COVID-19 case definition and testing criteria. No referral is required and it is not necessary to call ahead prior to attending. The clinic is a screening service only, and cannot provide clinical assessment or management.
All people tested for COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate until test results are available.
Alfred Health are undertaking pre-operative COVID screening in accordance with DHHS advice. All patients scheduled for surgery and planned admissions at Alfred Health will be contacted and provided with the details of attending for screening at The Alfred.
Impacts on Alfred Health services
Specialist Clinics (Outpatients)
Specialist Clinics have now returned to normal activity. All referrals will be triaged according to clinical need, but due to the impact of COVID-19 non-urgent appointments may be delayed.
Transit Lounge
The Alfred Transit Lounge is now closed; however, patient transport requests will continue to be considered for those patients requiring face-to-face consultations or procedures. Patient transport requests can be faxed to 9076 2290.
Other services
The Alfred Emergency and Trauma Centre
The Alfred Emergency and Trauma Centre has a dedicated 24-hour hotline for GPs seeking advice. GPs can phone the Admitting Officer on 1800 ALFRED (1800 253 733) any time of the day or night.
Please call the Admitting Officer prior to sending patients in to ED to provide clinical handover. This is particularly important for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, to ensure the Emergency Department can prepare appropriately for their arrival.
Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP)
Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) cares for people with chronic and complex health and social conditions that require care coordination. They work with clients to improve their understanding of their health and psychosocial conditions, build their capacity for self-management and self-determination, and coordinate access to services for long-term support.
GPs can refer directly to HARP via Caulfield Access (phone 9076 6776) and patients do not need to have been an inpatient of Alfred Health.
Mobile Assessment & Treatment Service (MATS)
Mobile Assessment & Treatment Service (MATS) is a mobile medical and nursing service aimed at providing hospital-type treatment to older people in the community. Although MATS primarily see people in residential care facilities, they can also see people in their homes.
MATS accept referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, phone 1800 007 656.
Alfred Health Mental Health Service
Alfred Health Mental Health Services can be contacted for referrals on 9076 9888, or for mental health emergencies please contact triage on 1300 363 746.
Resources
Correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital to ensuring safety of healthcare workers and patients. Alfred Health have produced a video demonstrating the correct application and removal of PPE.
HealthPathways Melbourne
HealthPathways Melbourne is now available to GPs in South Eastern Melbourne, and provides update to date clinical guidelines, impacts on local services and referrals, and other resources for GPs regarding COVID-19.
Email info@healthpathwaysmelbourne.org.au to request access to HealthPathways (username and password will be provided).
The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce have created Australian Guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19.
Also released is a flow chart to assist with Management of Patients with Suspected Mild COVID-19, which provides guidance on management in the community and when to escalate care.
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Application and removal of PPE 5 MB
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COVID-19 - Alfred Health Integrated COVID-19 Community Care Pathway 726 KB
Provides GPs with COVID-19 resources and contacts which Alfred Health offers.
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COVID-19 - DHHS - Health services and general practice
Department of Health and Human Services - Up to date resources, information, plans and guides for health professionals.
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COVID-19 - South East Melbourne Primary Care Network (SEMPHN)
COVID-19 information for health professionals in the South East Melbourne area.
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COVID-19 - Women’s at Sandringham: COVID-19 Maternity care for women who are suspected or confirmed 1 MB
Outlines the requirement for managing pregnant and newly-parturient women with suspected or COVID-19 infection at the Women’s at Sandringham.
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HealthPathways Melbourne
Provides update to date clinical guidelines, impacts on local services and referrals, and other resources for GPs regarding COVID-19. Available to GPs in South Eastern Melbourne. Email info@healthpathwaysmelbourne.org.au to request access to HealthPathways (username and password will be provided).
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The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce - Clinical Care Guidelines
The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce have created Australian Guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19.
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The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce - Patients with Suspected Mild COVID-19
Flow chart to assist with management of patients with suspected mild COVID-19, which provides guidance on management in the community and when to escalate care.