Important Information regarding COVID-19 for our patients and families

Oncology North Coast Commitment to Your Safety

Important Information regarding COVID-19 for our patients and families

We want to reassure our patients and families that Oncology North Coast is following all government direction and advice, and continuously reviewing our screening and hygiene practices to keep you as safe as possible while in our practice.

First and foremost, we must screen for anyone who might be infected before they arrive at our practice. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will be sent a text message asking you to contact us if you:

have fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or a cough
have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
if you have a relative or support person attending your appointment (limited to one per person) who may meet the above criteria.

Our staff are receiving calls from patients confirming they are well to attend their appointment or are seeking advice on changing appointment times or type.

Since 16 March 2020 Oncology North Coast has changed appointment types to videoconferencing (Zoom, Skype, and Facetime) or telephone attendance to ensure essential ongoing care for your medical condition. We review this approach to substituting a face-to-face consultation every day in line with the changes in government advice. Thank you for your understanding regarding this.

Other safety measures include:

all staff have completed and passed the Department of Health online training module for Covid 19

Body temperature testing of all staff before they commence work
Hand sanitisers use before entering practice for staff and patients
masks are available in reception if someone presents unexpectedly with non-fever symptoms
steps have been taken to minimise the number of patients in the waiting room at any one time- patients are requested to call once they have arrived at the carpark and at this time they are advised of an appropriate time frame to actually present to the reception area in person
1.5m distancing at reception and for seating arrangements in waiting room
the practice will be cashless until further notice
there has been increased cleaning of all surfaces in waiting room, reception, consulting rooms, administration areas and staff areas
magazines, newspapers, tea and coffee facilities and toys have been removed from the waiting room
As the situation is constantly evolving, if an infection occurs, the practice will consult the latest guidelines from the Department of Health and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and speak with the NSW Public Health Unit to determine the most appropriate course of action regarding cleaning and sterilisation, closure of the practice, monitoring of ‘close contacts’, and contact tracing requirements.

Up to date and factual information on Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the NSW Health website at the following link:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/diseases/pages/coronavirus.aspx