VAHS IS OPEN & STILL CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious health matter. VAHS will continue to provide services to the Community but they will look a little different.
CHANGES VAHS HAS MADE TO PROTECT YOU, THE COMMUNITY & OUR STAFF
Opening hours
VAHS Fitzroy & Epping sites remain open.
Fitzroy clinic hours are:
- Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm
- Friday 10am to 3pm
- The Fitzroy Saturday clinic is closed
Epping clinic hours are:
- Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
- Friday 9am to 4pm
VAHS Preston site is closed BUT Family Counselling Services (FCS) are still operating via phone and video consults. If you wish to connect with FCS please call 9403 3300 and our reception staff will connect you with the support service you need.
Phone consults
VAHS is delivering most care through phone consults, this is for the safety of both Community and staff.
If you ring for a new appointment you will be offered a phone consult. Your GP or clinician will then ring you at your appointment time, and you can decided together if you need to come into VAHS for a face to face consultation.
If you already have an appointment, you will be contracted and offered a phone consult at the same time.
You can still make an appointment to come into VAHS for a face to face consultation if you need to.
Since there is currently community transmission of COVID-19 in Melbourne, all VAHS staff are wearing masks for face to face consultations to protect Community and staff, and time spent in face to face consultations is being limited to less than 15 minutes wherever possible.
Front door screening
Everyone attending a VAHS site is screened at the front door every time they attend. You will be asked about fever, symptoms of cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste, as well as contact with anyone who has/had COVID-19.
Even if you have been to VAHS recently and been asked the front door screening questions before, please be patient and answer all the questions again.
People who have fever or symptoms can be seen by VAHS staff in a separate area.
Front door screening is important to keep VAHS safe for Community and staff.
VAHS Fitzroy Respiratory Clinic
The Respiratory Clinic has been set up to provide Community with a safe space to be assessed and tested for COVID-19.
Entry to the Respiratory Clinic is through the car park at Fitzroy and there are parking spaces allocated for Community attending the Respiratory Clinic.
If you have symptoms, please ring 0478 767 140 to make an appointment and get tested for COVID-19.
VAHS is not currently able to test people who do not have symptoms. If you have been advised you need to be tested and don’t have symptoms, please ring the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 675 398 to find your nearest testing clinic that can provide asymptomatic testing.
Transport
VAHS drivers are not currently transporting patients. If you are attending VAHS for an appointment and need transports, please call to discuss options before your appointment.
Medication drop-offs
VAHS drivers are able to drop off medications to VAHS clients. Please contact VAHS to arrange this service; medications will be delivered the day following your request and you need to be at home to receive them.
Dental
Priority is given to emergency, essential treatment and to patients from our priority list. If you have a toothache or facial swelling please call VAHS Dental on 9419 3000 press 2, for an appointment.
Dental treatment has changed since COVID-19. Some instruments cannot be used at this time, to keep you and our Dental Team safe. Restrictions apply to some dental treatments and to certain equipment and instruments.
Remember to call VAHS Dental the day before your dental appointment for health screening questions.
Flu shots
VAHS strongly encourages Community to get a flu shot. You can make an appointment for a flu shot at both Epping and Fitzroy.
Health checks
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 numbers, non-essential care is being postponed.
If you are due for a health check, you can make an appointment for a phone consult to make a start on it, and discuss with your Aboriginal Health Worker, Nurse or GP when to come in for a face to face visit for it to be completed.
VAHS groups
All VAHS group have been suspended temporarily.
VAHS phone numbers
Fitzroy – 9419 3000
Epping – 8592 3920
Preston – 9403 3300
SOME ADVICE
Always remember to protect yourself, your family and the Community by:
- Staying home and getting tested if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
- Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Staying 1.5 meters away from other people
- Covering your cough and sneezing with the bend of your elbow or a tissue
- Avoiding large gatherings and crowded public places
Stay home and only leave the house for:
- A medical appointment
- Shopping for essential items
- Work – if you cannot work from home
- Education – if you cannot study from home
- Exercise
Here are some websites to keep up to date about COVID-19:
- https://www.naccho.org.au/home/aboriginal-health-alerts-coronavirus-covid-19/
- www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus
- www.health.gov.au
STAY CONNECTED WITH VAHS
Given the developing nature of this situation, information and decisions made today, may change tomorrow due to evolving and uncertain situation with the COVID-19 outbreak.
To stay up-to-date with the latest changes and information from VAHS stay connected with us on Facebook.
