Please note: As the situation is rapidly changing, we are constantly updating this section to ensure the following resources are relevant and up-to-date.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES / RACGP UPDATES
https://racgp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LBRdam5iSCOizYPNOB12TQ
DHHS and RACGP Victoria webinar series
Latest public health advice and Q&A presented by DHHS representatives in conjunction with RACGP Victoria Faculty Chair Dr Anita Munoz and Co-Deputy Chairs Dr Marina Malcolm and Bernard Shiu.
GP-led respiratory clinics for COVID-19 testing
There are currently 143 GP-led respiratory clinics in operation providing assessment and testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/
- https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested
- https://www.hotdoc.com.au/search?in=melbourne-VIC-3000&purpose=respiratory&where=service:respiratory
COVID-19 Vaccine
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Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
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https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services
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To find COVID-19 vaccination locations to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments
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AMA LIST
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AMA Victoria - Peer Support Service - doctors supporting doctors - Call 1300 853 338
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Beyond Blue - this page includes a section specifically for healthcare workers
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Hand-n-Hand - a peer support network for healthcare workers at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic
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Mindfulness in Medicine - using mindfulness as a tool for living through difficult times - free weekly sessions
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Pandemic Kindness Movement - evidence-informed resources for health workforce
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Victorian Doctors Health Program - available 24/7 to all medical students and doctors - call (03) 9280 8738
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The Victorian Medical Benevolent Association - assists doctors in financial difficulty - enquiries to dianac@vmba.org.au - more information at www.vmba.org.au
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COVID-19 Media and advocacy highlights
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COVID-19 is an occupational health and safety issue
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Healthcare workers during pandemic addressed to Victorian Premier: "at least 2,838 healthcare workers infected as of 27 August"
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Respirator fit-testing: busting the myths
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Upcoming wellbeing opportunities for doctors
RACGP List
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DRS4DRS – an independent program providing confidential support and resources to doctors and medical students across Australia, by doctors
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RACGP GP support program – a free and confidential psychological support service for members
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The Essential Network (TEN) – a network that connects frontline healthcare workers with services to cope with the stress of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, developed by the Black Dog Institute during
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Supporting healthcare workers during COVID 19: https://medcast.com.au/courses/339
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Home-care guidelines for adult patients with mild COVID-19 - see attached pdf resource
Self-Care and Wellbeing
Healthcare worker wellbeing centre
As part of the Victorian Government’s $9.8 million healthcare-worker wellbeing package, Safer Care Victoria has launched the Healthcare worker wellbeing centre.
The centre supports healthcare workers and leaders across hospitals, primary health, aged care and community health services to maintain the focus on healthcare-worker wellbeing highlighted through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The centre will:
- link to organisations, tools and resources for healthcare workers to support their own mental health and wellbeing
- share tools, resources and training to help leaders and managers better support their staff
- explore ways to create system-level changes and prioritise worker wellbeing across the health system.
Pandemic Kindness Movement
Clinicians in NSW, QLD, SA and Victoria have founded the movement and launched its website to supply evidence-based resources and support the wellbeing and leadership of health care workers.
The model is based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and includes basic needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem, contribution and leadership actions.
Free Weekly Mindfulness Sessions for Doctors
The Melbourne Centre for Mindfulness is providing free sessions on Saturday mornings 9.30am – 10.30am via Zoom.
The sessions are led by Mr Tony Dunin, mindfulness teacher and senior orthopaedic surgeon in Melbourne, and his wife Jo Dunin, a MBSR teacher and insight meditation practitioner, who both founded the centre where they run a “Mindfulness in Medicine” course designed for doctors.
Meditation Based Stress Reduction was developed in 1979 by the world-renowned Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and is an evidence-based mindfulness technique that benefits those with stress and chronic illness.
Information and registration are available at the following link:
https://mcfm.com.au/mindfulness-in-medicine/
HEALTH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS
AMA LIST
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AMA Federal - Daily Fact Sheet - includes the latest case numbers and government updates
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AMA Federal - General information on COVID-19 - what it is, how it is transmitted and more
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AMA Federal - Personal hygiene and safety tips
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AMA Federal - What to do if you are unwell
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Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080
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Data and infographics - COVID-19 in Australia
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DHHS Hotline - 1800 675 398
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DHHS - Looking after your mental health
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DHHS - Coronavirus resources (Greek)
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Healthdirect - Sympton checker
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Victorian Chief Health Officer - subscribe to alerts here
Blackdog Coronavirus: resources for anxiety and stress
Federal and Victorian governments
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Covid-19 hotline: 1800 675 398
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https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
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https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
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Support services for patients: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/coronavirus-covid-19-and-how-we-may-help
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Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
ADMINISTRATION RESOURCES FOR DOCTORS -- AMA, RACGP and Federal and State Governments
Jobkeeper update for doctors and practice staff
To register eligible employees, call the ATO on 13 28 66
For doctor eligibility, call the JobKeeper hotline on 1800 806 218 or contact your accountant.
Electronic prescribing with telehealth consultations:
Learn more about electronic prescribing by watching the
RACGP’s “Introduction to electronic prescribing” on-demand webinar, available now.
See the RACGP and Australian Digital Health Agency websites for further information.
Changed medicine regulatory requirements for health practitioners during COVID-19 pandemic
“To facilitate the supply of medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce regulatory burden on prescribers and pharmacists the following public health emergency orders (PHEO) have come into effect.” Please see below.
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/safescript
For SafeScript information and support services
https://help.safescript.vic.gov.au/help-topics.htm
HEALTH INFORMATION FOR DOCTORS
TEN - The Essential Network for health professionals by The Black Dog institute
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An app supporting Health Professionals to manage life and work through COVID-19. (for Apple and Android)
COVID-19 INFORMATION AND UPDATES
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National COVID 19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
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Latest flowchart for assessment of suspected COVID 19
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Victorian AMA
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Federal AMA
Federal and Victorian governments
Daily update
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-daily-update
General Information
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/health-services-and-general-practitioners-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
For health professionals and aged care sector
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-the-health-and-aged-care-sector
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SITES FOR DOCTORS
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CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
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CDC: COVID-19 Clinical Care Guidance
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CDC: Criteria to Guide Evaluation and Laboratory Testing for COVID-19
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CDC: Don, Use and Doff Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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ECDC: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
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WHO: World Health Organisation
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The Lancet COVID 19 Resource Centre
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MedicineNet: Latest Covid-19 News and Information
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John Hopkins University
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Medscape's Coronavirus Resource Centre
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RANZCP COVID-19 Information Hub
Webmd latest updates
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https://www.webmd.com/coronavirus
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https://www.webmd.com/subscribe?pg=1166&icd=wnl_cov_web_cons_rghtrl
WORLD STATISTICS AND MAPS
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John Hopkins University
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Nephrology Journal Club—includes dynamic world graph with national statistics
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/06/coronavirus-world-map-which-countries-have-the-most-covid-19-cases-and-deaths
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https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_campaign=homeAdUOA?Si
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https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/australia/
Other Resources
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A collection of coronavirus resources in Greek
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Covid-19 Pandemic and Haemoglobin Disorders (Thalassaemia International Federation)
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Covid-19 Guidelines for Remote Consultations in Primary Care
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PPE - N95 versus PAPR by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists
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SBS Greek - Coronavirus Care and Measures in Greek
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Free Covid-19 Services for the aged
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A survival guide to being quarantined with coronavirus and why self-isolation is imperative to prevent deaths
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Οδηγός επιβίωσης για όσους είναι σε καραντίνα λόγω κορονοϊού
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O Δρ. Μανώλας αποκλειστικά στο NGTV για τον Covid-19
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Coronavirus and health coverage for visa holders
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Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders
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Self-care: Immune System Support
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
People who don’t speak English as a first language can get free translation support from the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).
Visit www.tisnational.gov.au or call 131 450.
News
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AMA Demands P2 or N95 Mask Mandate
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Spiking COVID infections in healthcare trigger urgent calls for better infection control