Respiratory clinic now open in Young

A GP-led respiratory clinic to assess patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms was opened in Young on Monday.

The clinic is located at the rear of the Boorowa Street Medical Practice, which is at 12 Boorowa St, with all entry to be via the rear entrance and parking on Calabash Street.

Young general practitioner, Dr Asitha Wickramaratne said, “Where possible we would like to see all patients with any respiratory-type symptoms in the GP respiratory clinic.”

“If you are attending for another issue, but have a cough or cold, please come to the respiratory clinic. We want to ensure that our regular GP clinics are kept as safe as possible for non-infectious patients to attend. The respiratory clinic is funded by the Department of Health and visits are free of charge.”

Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the clinic was among more than 100 Commonwealth-funded clinics being opened around Australia to assess patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 like symptoms. “The GP-led clinics will help reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and other general practices,” Mr McCormack said.

“Rural and regional residents deserve health care services which are just as good as those provided in our major cities and the national roll-out of these new clinics is part of addressing that.”

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) chief executive officer Melissa Neal said anyone with respiratory symptoms or unexplained fever should be tested. “The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath, so if you have any of these, I would encourage you to make an appointment at the newly opened GP- led respiratory clinic,” Ms Neal said.

“Testing is critical to help minimise the risk of community to community transmission and to stop the spread of the coronavirus. After your swab has been taken it’s sent away for testing and you will know the result in a couple of days. During this time, people are to isolate at home and they will receive more information from the GP in the testing appointment.”

Those tested who return negative results will be contacted by text message, while those who return positive results will be contacted by phone and receive further advice.

The clinic will be open Monday to Friday between 12.30pm and 4.30pm, but may extend the opening hours depending on demand.

Bookings can be made online at the Hot Doc website at https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/young-NSW-2594/young-respiratory-clinic/doctors

The respiratory clinic is one of several recently opened in the area, with clinics also opened in Gundagai, Tumut, Cowra and Wagga Wagga.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellness
• Covid-19