Information for General Practitioners
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.
Impacts on Alfred Health services
Specialist Clinics (Outpatients)
The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in high demand for specialist consultations. If there is any concern about the delay of the appointment, or any deterioration in the patient's condition, please send an updated referral with additional information. If the patient's care needs have become urgent, please call the unit registrar on (03) 9076 2000.
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 (03) 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 (03) 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.
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 (03) 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.
Alfred Health Mental Health Service
Alfred Health Mental Health Services can be contacted for referrals on (03) 9076 9888, or for mental health emergencies please contact triage on 1300 363 746.
The Alfred COVID-19 Screening Clinic
The Alfred COVID-19 Screening Clinic has now closed.
To find the closest alternate location for COVID-19 testing, please visit the Victoria Government COVID-19 testing website.
The Alfred COVID-19 vaccination centre is now closed to the general public.
Please note The Alfred COVID-19 Vaccination Centre closed on Wednesday 13 April 2022.
For alternative locations, please:
- Visit your local GP,
- Visit the Victorian Government COVID-19 website, or
- Call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
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.
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.