Care and treatment of patients with COVID-19

Page last updated 2:15pm 8 June 2022

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Latest information

General practices are being asked to focus on care for moderate-risk COVID-19 positive patients. People triaged as moderate risk through the National Coronavirus Helpline and COVID-19 symptom checker are advised to seek care from their GP, with the vast majority of care being delivered by telehealth.

GPs should refer to their local SpotOnHealth HealthPathway, for up-to-date information on the clinical management of these patients, including:

escalation pathways if people deteriorate
referral to disease modifying treatments such as monoclonal antibodies.

General practice support

Clinical service provider for home visits for patients affected by COVID-19

Brisbane South PHN commissions local in-home care providers to deliver in-home face-to-face care for people with COVID‑19 and household members quarantining with them. Care may include, but is not limited to:

acute wound management
injury treatment
chronic disease management.

Available Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (excluding public holidays), general practitioners can book the in-home service by completing a referral form. Brisbane South PHN will connect the referral to the in‑home service-providers.

Telehealth

The Department of Health has extended the healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program to 30 June 2022.  We encourage you to continue using this secure video consulting platform, which has been purpose-built for the primary care settings. To register for this service, select the organisation that best represents you:

GP Clinical Decision Line

For additional support and guidance in the management of suspected and confirmed COVID‑19 positive patients, call the Clinical Decision Support Line on (07) 3493‑4899.

Your call will be answered by a trained health professional who will guide you through the case management recommendations provided on SpotOnHealth HealthPathways, to help you find what you need.

Available Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Face-to-face

Until 30 June 2022, a temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item is available to support medical practitioners providing clinically relevant treatment to COVID-19 positive people. The continued arrangements build on the temporary telehealth items introduced as part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to enable all Medicare eligible Australians to access telehealth (video and phone) services for a range of out of hospital consultations.

MBS telehealth items will continue to be available to GPs, medical practitioners, specialists, consultant physicians, nurse practitioners, participating midwives, allied health providers and dental practitioners in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

View further information on the MBS Telehealth Services from January 2022

View the factsheet on additional 10 MBS Mental Health Sessions

National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce aims to provide the best COVID-19 evidence, that supports clinicians to provide the best possible care for Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Taskforce undertakes continuous evidence surveillance to identify and rapidly synthesise emerging research, in order to provide national, evidence-based guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19.

View Taskforce website

GP-led Respiratory Clinics (GPRC)

There are four GP-led respiratory clinics in the Brisbane south region that offer additional care options for community members with possible symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever or respiratory symptoms.

Respiratory clinics have strict infection controls in place to protect staff and patients and utilise full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks, gowns, goggles and gloves. Clinic staff provide assessment and initial treatment as well as testing, where needed. The patient’s nominated general practice will receive the results to ensure continuity of care.

The clinics are free for all patients, including those without a Medicare card. Patients can self-refer by calling or booking an appointment online at www.hotdoc.com.au.

Clinic locations and contact details