COVID-19: Current advice as of July 2020

Restricted Attendance

If you have:

  • been in contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the past 14 days
  • returned from overseas travel in the past 14 days
  • been to Victoria or been in contact with another person who has been to Victoria in the past 14 days
  • felt unwell, including but not limited to symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath

then your appointment at CCHN must be rescheduled for 14 days after your return from overseas or last contact with a COVID-19 case, or when your symptoms have resolved and you are no longer considered a risk.

We also recommend that patients who are over 70 years old, or suffer from chronic disease (in particular, cardiovascular or respiratory disease and poorly controlled diabetes), or are immunocompromised, defer non-urgent appointments (dental or otherwise).

Reception Area

CCHN has taken a no compromise approach to our additional protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We request that patients:

  • use alcohol-based hand sanitiser to disinfect your hands upon arrival as well as on departure from the practice
  • do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth or face
  • do not shake hands
  • attend appointments alone if possible, although we are mindful of consent requirements and family commitments.
  • please avoid paying in cash

We have:

  • removed the reception area magazines so please bring a book
  • adjusted seating in reception area to facilitate social distancing
  • supplied masks that are available on request

Our reception staff are regularly disinfecting:

  • surfaces and chairs in the reception area
  • telephones, the EFTPOS machine and pens at the reception desk
  • all door handles
  • the buttons and railings of the lift to our practice

Patients may remain in their car or outside rather than wait in our reception area, however we ask that you call us to let us know that you have parked and are waiting in your car. We will call you when the practice is disinfected and prepared for you. Upon arrival at the practice you will be asked to wash and sanitise your hands prior to treatment.

Reduced Treatment Services

Following the ACT Government’s lockdown of non-essential services, CCHN has been confirmed as an essential health service thus we will continue to operate. There is no current advice or mandate from the Australian Government, World Health Organization, Australian Physiotherapy Association, Osteopathic Association and AHPRA that suggests allied health services should be limited or ceased.

In order to minimise unnecessary exposure, CCHN has reduced hours at our clinics to 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 2pm Saturdays. Our practitioners are also offering telehealth appointments through Jane (the CCHN practice management site), to supplement face to face appointments. A detailed description on how to use Jane for your online appointments can be found on our website or by following this link: https://jane.app/guide/telehealth/how-to-join-your-online-appointment-for-patients

Appointment Scheduling

We have allocated additional time between appointments to enable additional infection control measures including environmental cleaning.

Regarding the Treatment of Patients Who Are at Risk of COVID-19

Having taken into consideration the safety of the team and other patients, CCHN will not treat patients who are at moderate to high risk of COVID-19 infection.

CCHN apologises most sincerely to any patient this may affect however we will do all that we can without physical presence in the practice. A clinician will conduct a telephone consultation and take measures that may assist with management including prescription of exercise or referral to a GP providing all relevant information to facilitate treatment there.

You may also contact the Australian Government COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or the Healthdirect Hotline on 1800 022 222 or find up to date information at Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-COVID-19-2019-ncov-health-alert

Thank you for your ongoing support

Because we care, we want to remind you that in times like these, our mental health can take a hit. Make sure to talk to friends, family and seek professional medical advice. Limit your exposure to sensational media, and stick to the facts. Lean on us and your own community!

Most importantly, remember to breathe through it all.

Please feel free to call us if you have any questions regarding your upcoming booking.

This advice is beautifully written by Preventive Dentistry, www.preventivedentistry.com.au, and adapted for Canberra City Health Network.