Critical updates
Critical updates at a glance
+ We have changed our opening hours. Please click here for information.
+ The majority of appointments are now Telehealth consults.
+ All eligible Telehealth appointments will be bulk billed.
+ Government flu vaccines are now available. Please click here to book.
+ No bookings for private flu vaccine clinics available. Please click here for more information.
+ Pathology is closed. Please click here for more information.
+ Any patients who are experiencing respiratory symptoms should not attend the practice. Please book a Telehealth consultation first.
+ We reserve the right to ban any patient who does not follow our appointment booking guidelines. They are implemented for the safety of the whole community.
Summary of critical updates
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To safeguard the community and our team of doctors and staff, the majority of patients will need to first book Telehealth consultations before visiting the practice in person.
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The practice will continue to be open, but you will not be able to come in to see your doctor unless you have had a Telehealth consultation and your doctor has determined that a face-to-face examination is required.
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Some exclusions are childhood immunisations, whooping cough immunisations, flu immunisations, antenatal/postnatal care consultations and emergency presentations. Please click here for more information.
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Any patients who are experiencing respiratory symptoms e.g. sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough, should not attend the practice and first book a Telehealth consultation.
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Face to face consultations for patients with respiratory symptoms will be available at the practice during specific times in the day if your doctor deems it necessary during your Telehealth consultation.
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If you require a script or referral please book a Telehealth consult. Please click here for more information.
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We have paused private flu vaccine clinics awaiting an update on private flu stocks which have experienced serious disruption.
Details of critical updates
Introduction of Telehealth for majority of standard consultations
The practice will continue to stay open, but you will not be able to come in to see your doctor unless you have had a Telehealth consultation and your doctor has determined that a face-to-face examination is required.
There are several specific appointment types that you can still book online (in addition to Telehealth):
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Flu Vaccinations (Private) - Appointment to visit the practice for a flu vaccine clinic: prepayment of $20 for the vaccine is required at time of booking (currently paused while we confirm more stock)
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Flu Vaccinations (Government) - Appointment to visit the practice for a free flu vaccine clinic, patients 65+ can also receive their pneumovax vaccine at this time
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Childhood Vaccinations - Appointment to visit the practice for your child to receive their scheduled childhood immunisations
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Antenatal Appointments - Appointment to visit the practice for pregnant women
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Postnatal Appointments - Appointment to visit the practice for postpartum women (eg. 6 week checks, breastfeeding issues)
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Boostrix Vaccinations - Appointment to visit the practice for patients requiring a whooping cough vaccine - e.g. pregnant women and close contacts of newborn babies
At this time you will not be able to book any other appointment types online.
For the safety of our community and staff, it is vital that any patients experiencing any respiratory symptoms do not book consultations to visit the practice for any of the above appointment types still available online. Please book a Telehealth consultation.
We are also requesting that well patients do not bring along any family members (e.g. children) who may have any respiratory symptoms.
Respiratory symptoms include any of the following: shortness of breath, cough, fever, runny nose or sore throat.
Scripts and referrals
If you require a script or referral you can discuss this with your doctor during a Telehealth consult. See further information here.
Cost
All eligible Telehealth appointments will be bulk billed.
Private Telehealth consultations are available for patients without Medicare. See further information here.
Flu Vaccines
We have experienced unprecedented demand for flu vaccines this year.
We correctly anticipated the increase in demand and ordered sufficient privatet vaccine stock. However, US customs is currently refusing to release a large volume of flu vaccine stock destined for Australia.
For now we have had to pause booking any more flu vaccine consultations while we await an update on vaccine stock availability in the weeks ahead. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience this may cause some patients.
Any patients with existing flu vaccine clinic appointments should attend their appointments as booked.
An email we sent to patients last Friday 20 March offered patients the choice to book a standard private appointment to get their flu vaccine. However, due to this unforeseen supply constraint, only patients that attend a dedicated flu vaccine clinic can receive a flu vaccine.
Emergencies
If you are experiencing an emergency we will be here to help. Accidents requiring wound care, patients experiencing asthma attack, heart conditions, anaphylaxis etc can continue to access immediate care at the practice but we ask patients to phone ahead where possible.
Coronavirus information
Coronavirus testing clinics are operating around Australia. To determine if you are eligible for Coronavirus testing, please review the guidelines below.
We are not currently undertaking Coronavirus testing at Double Bay Doctors.
