Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is urging Blue Mountains residents who are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms to get tested, following four positive cases in the Upper Mountains.
"In line with NSW government recommendations, it is vital that anyone in the Blue Mountains area experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms is assessed and tested to prevent the spread of the disease, " said Lizz Reay, CEO of Wentworth Healthcare.
Wentworth Healthcare helped establish the federally funded GP-led COVID-19 respiratory clinic in Hazelbrook, which is one of three GP-led COVID clinics in the Nepean Blue Mountains region.
"GP-led COVID-19 Respiratory Clinics are particularly helpful for patients with a respiratory illness who require a face-to-face consultation that can't be managed by telehealth alone," she said.
The Hazelbrook clinic is run by Hazelbrook General Practice and since the clinic opened early May, they have tested almost 2000 people.
Dr Louise McDonnell, one of the doctors at Hazelbrook General Practice said: "The purpose of the clinic is to assess all people with any respiratory symptom such as sore throat, fever, cough, or shortness of breath, even those with mild symptoms."
The clinic is located in a temporary clinical facility at the rear of the Hazelbrook General Practice at 9 Rosedale Avenue and is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.30pm.
Attendance at the clinic is free but by appointment only and patients should not "just turn-up". Appointments should be made online by visiting www.nbmphn.com.au/GPCOVIDClinics or by calling 0492 818 575 (Mon-Friday only) where a patient does not have online access. Patients will receive their test results via phone or SMS and will be referred back to their usual GP for ongoing management.
"The Hazelbrook GP-led Clinic is an alternative option to Blue Mountains hospital's COVID-19 testing services. Only through widespread testing can we detect new cases of community transmission and prevent a possible second wave of the disease," said Ms Reay.