MANAGEMENT OF THE CURRENT COVID SITUATION
​(AS AT 6 August 2022)

(FOR ALL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION, SEE OUR "NEWS" PAGE)
SCMP IS NO LONGER RUNNING DEDICATED COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINATION CLINICS ON SATURDAYS.  WE ARE PROVIDING A LIMITED NUMBER OF PFIZER BOOSTER SHOTS EACH WEEKDAY AT BOTH BEGA AND TATHRA SURGERIES.  PLEASE CALL RECEPTION TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

THERE IS A WALK-IN VACCINATION CLINIC AT SOUTH EAST REGIONAL HOSPITAL ON TUESDAYS FROM 9am-1pm.

Managing COVID-19 at home 
  • Most people who test positive for COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and recover within one week without needing special treatment or hospitalisation. 
  • If you are pregnant, unvaccinated or immunocompromised you are at risk of more significant symptoms - please call South East Regional Hospital on 6150 7032 to access their COVID-19 health service. 
  • If you are over 65 years of age, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or have a chronic health condition - call Sapphire Coast Medical Practice on 6492 2555 and we can guide you through your illness with telehealth consultations.
Oral Anti-viral Medications
  • If you have a COVID infection and fit the below criteria, please contact the surgery to discuss with a GP whether you should have medication prescribed:
    • All patients over 70 years of age;
    • Immunocompromised (over 18 years of age) i.e. were previously advised to have an extra booster; or
    • Over 50 years of age with 2 extra risk factors (see below); or
    • Over 30 years of age (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) with 2 extra risk factors (see below).
  • ​Risk Factors:
    • ​Diabetes (on medication)
    • Obesity (BMI greater than 30)
    • Cardiac disease
    • Lung disease
    • Active cancer
    • Severe liver/kidney disease
    • Neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, dementia)
    • Not up to date with vaccinations.
  • Anti-viral medication must be taken within 5 days of symptom onset. 
Isolation Information 
  • Stay at home (unless for medical care or you feel unsafe at home – then call ahead)  
  • Notify close contacts (work/school/friends) - keep in mind you can be infectious for up to 3 days before symptoms develop
  • ​In your home, live in a separate room if possible - if you cannot isolate from household contacts they must also isolate and be tested  
  • Wash hands; wear a face mask around others; wipe down surfaces. 
Symptoms 
  • Common: fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, runny nose 
  • Other symptoms: loss of taste and smell, mild shortness of breath, muscle or joint pain, fever, nausea, occasional vomiting or diarrhoea 
  • If you have breathlessness, trouble keeping fluids down, dizziness or confusion - call Sapphire Coast Medical Practice  
  • If you develop chest pain, severe shortness of breath, collapse -  call 000, tell them you have COVID-19 and need an ambulance.
 General care 
  • Rest; drink clear fluids frequently; use paracetamol and ibuprofen for symptom relief 
  • Keep in touch with family and friends; maintain a daily routine; spend time outdoors if able.
After isolation 
  • Once 7 days from the date of testing has passed and if you have had NO symptoms for 24 hours you can leave isolation 
  • You should wear a mask around others and avoid high risk settings for 3-7 days
  • People who have previously had COVID-19 are asked to test for COVID-19 after 4 weeks since their isolation ended if they have symptoms and follow the relevant health advice if they test positive
  • You can have your booster dose 12 weeks after acute infection.
Helpful numbers 
  • National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080 (option 5 for interpreter services; 24/7 service) 
  • NSW Health Covid-19 Care at Home Support Line 1800 960 933 (8.30am-8.30pm) 
  • NSW Health Isolation Support line 1800 943 553 
  • Centrelink families line 136 150 –social worker/financial assistance.
Helpful websites 
SCMP remains focused on keeping our surgeries COVID-free, to enable us to continue clinical care of all our patients.  This means that a patient or visitor with any of the above symptoms, or that is linked to a known COVID-positive case, should not be seen INSIDE the premises.  All patients and visitors to the Bega and Tathra Surgeries are also required to wear a face mask, have their temperature checked, symptoms checked, vaccination status checked, and sanitise their hands on entry.

If you require medical assistance, please:
  • Phone either the Tathra Surgery 6494 1877 or Bega Surgery 6492 2555 prior to presenting at either Practice;
  • If any cold or flu like symptoms are present, you will be asked to wait outside, and can only be seen inside the premises after receiving a negative COVID test.
  • If no symptoms are present, however you have been linked to any known COVID-19 cases, you will be required upon arrival to wear a mask, hand sanitise, have your temperature/symptoms/vaccination status checked, and will likely be seen in your vehicle or in one of the surgery's outdoor gazebos.      

SCMP's COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM
(as at 6 AUGUST 2022)

  • The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) are currently recommending booster shots for people over 16 years of age THREE months after their second dose. SCMP is no longer running general booster vaccination clinics on Saturdays, but have limited supplies of the Pfizer booster vaccine available every weekday at both Bega and Tathra Surgeries.  Patients can also visit the SERH walk-in clinic from 9am-1pm on Tuesdays to obtain their COVID vaccinations.
  • ATAGI have approved the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old.  It is recommended that 2 doses are given 8 weeks apart.  SCMP is no longer providing COVID-19 Paediatric vaccinations, and children will now need to visit SERH to obtain their COVID vaccination.
  • ATAGI have recommended a third primary dose and fourth and fifth booster COVID-19 vaccines for certain groups of people who are immunocompromised.  
  • From July, it is recommended to have an additional winter booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine (second booster/fourth dose - three months after initial booster dose) to increase vaccine protection before winter for selected groups who are at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and who have received their primary vaccination and first booster dose. These groups are those:
    • ​​Adults aged 50 years and older
    • Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
    • People aged 16 years and older who are severely immunocompromised
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older
    • Adults aged 16 to 64 years of age with complex, chronic or severe medical conditions (see NSW Health advice).
  • People aged 30 years and over are also eligible to receive an additional winter booster if they want to.
  • SCMP is no longer providing COVID-19 AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) Vaccinations at our surgeries.   They are available at the South East Regional Hospital vaccination hub.  
  • We strongly encourage EVERYONE who is eligible, to receive the vaccination as soon as possible.
  • Please be reassured the vaccine available to this group of patients, is safe and effective and will provide protection from COVID-19 for both us as individuals and to our whole community.
  • We will continue to provide information here on our website, the SCMP Facebook page and at our surgeries.

SOUTH COAST BUSHFIRE EMERGENCIES

(FOR ALL BUSHFIRE-RELATED UPDATES, SEE OUR "NEWS" PAGE)

BUSHFIRE RECOVERY ACCESS PROGRAM
If you have been significantly impacted by recent bushfires, our psychologist Jocelyn France is available to support you. You may be eligible for Medicare benefits for up to 10 mental health treatment services. You do not need a GP referral or mental health treatment plan. Please get in touch with us at Bega Surgery on (02) 64 922 555 to book an appointment.

Please see the below three links to information from the Australian Government Department of Health for people affected by the bushfires:

1)  Mental Health Support for Australians affected by the 2019-20 bushfires
2)  Emergency health management - bushfire information and support
3)  Information for Australians who have been affected by bushfires
​

ABOUT US

​Sapphire Coast Medical Practice is a traditional Family Medical Practice with a varied demographic of all ages, socioeconomic status and cultures. 

We aim to provide complete family health care in a friendly, efficient, professional and confidential environment.  All Medical, Nursing and Reception Staff and trainees strive to maintain this through their work at all times. 

This Practice does not discriminate against or disadvantage patients in any aspect of access, examination or treatment.  All staff provide all health care in a non-judgmental way.

All Doctors in our Practice strive to help our patients manage their own health problems with prevention, education, general advice and specific clinical care.  We respect confidentiality at all times and understand our patient's rights to accept our advice and treatment, or not act on this advice.  

Our Practice has been fully accredited by Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL).

Sapphire Coast Medical Practice adheres to the National Privacy Principles and a copy of our Privacy Policy Information is available at Reception.  It is also available for download here.
​
Please see our Practice Information Brochure for more details. 

PATIENT FEEDBACK SURVEY

Do you have a few minutes to complete a patient feedback questionnaire for Sapphire Coast Medical Practice?  The survey take approximately four minutes to complete and is anonymous.  The survey data is a useful way for the Practice to identify areas of concern for our patients and is important for our ongoing AGPAL accreditation.  Please find the link to the survey here: http://cfep.net.au/b3BQZW 

There are also paper form feedback questionnaires available from Reception at both the Bega and Tathra Surgeries and a QR code displayed at both premises as well.  Please let us know if you have any questions!
24 Church Street, BEGA
78 Bega Street, TATHRA
Sapphire Coast Medical Practice has two Practices linked by the Internet.  One is located at Church Street in Bega, the other is located at Bega Street, Tathra.  Our Doctors practise at both locations.

Our general hours of operation are from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed on NSW Public Holidays).

A translating service can be arranged for non-English speaking patients.
August 2022