Please refer to our dedicated COVID-19 NH webpage for regular updates, useful information and resources related to the pandemic :https://www.nh.org.au/coronavirus/

The Department of Health and Human Services also has several resources available for health professionals : https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/health-services-and-professionals-coronavirus-covid-19​

Eastern PHN <https://www.emphn.org.au/news-events/news/novel-coronavirus-updates​  and North Western Melbourne PHN https://nwmphn.org.au/health-systems-capacity-building/covid-19/ also provide information for health professionals in our area

Northern Health Specialist Clinics 

Thank you for your patience over the last few months as Northern Health adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you may be aware, Northern Health Specialist Clinics has been actively working on the Future State of our specialist clinics in the post pandemic environment. This includes both the introduction of video telehealth as well as clinical transformation of our model of care to optimise patient care in the era of physical distancing. In addition, a dedicated Northern Health GP Liaison Committee will be created to ensure that we continue to partner with you as we make this transformation. 

Whilst we had hoped to rapidly introduce these Future State changes, we have had to put in a number of interim changes in light of the second surge of COVID-19, particularly in our catchment areas.

To ensure the safety of our patients and staff during this COVID surge, we have implemented the following changes:

  • Face to face appointments will be limited to urgent cases, where clinical care cannot provided via Telehealth. The rest of our appointments will be performed via Telehealth (predominantly telephone).
  • Whilst there has been change in the mode of consultation, there will be NO significant reduction in service provided by Specialist Clinic, although individual specialty limits may applied and will be separately communicated.
  • Due to social distancing restrictions, no accompanying visitors are permited within specialist clinics. Exemptions may be made on compassionate grounds after discussion with the Nurse Unit Manager.
  • Our specialist clinics team continue practices to reduce infection risk for our patients with regular and vigorous deep cleaning of our specialist clinic rooms as well as ushers to ensure adequate social distancing within the public specialist clinics waiting area.

We understand that these changes may impact on your practice and patients in your care. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Nurse Unit Manager of Specialist clinics on (Tel: 84058000)- Monday to Friday or email: SpecialistClinics@nh.org.au