COVID-19: Update from the Chief Health Officer

Developments in the outbreak

• As of 13 April 2020, Victoria has 1281 total confirmed cases, an increase of 13 since yesterday. 38 people are in hospital, including 14 people in intensive care. 14 people have died. 122 cases have an unknown source of infection, an increase of 3 since yesterday. 1075 people have recovered.
• Of the total 1281 cases, there have been 1022 in metropolitan Melbourne and 235 in regional Victoria. A number of cases remain under investigation.
• The total number of cases in Australia is currently 6326. That is expected to increase significantly in coming weeks unless people stay at home.
• There have been 162 confirmed cases in healthcare workers, across at least 7 hospitals and 1 radiology clinic.
• On 12 April, a plane carrying 99 Australian and 13 New Zealand passengers from the Greg Mortimer cruise ship in Uruguay landed in Melbourne. A Field Emergency Medical Officer team from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services met the flight and assessed all the passengers before transfer to quarantine.
• Up-to-date epidemiological data is available 

Updated advice to clinicians

• Clinicians are urged to test everyone who meets the case definition; especially close contacts and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There should be no exceptions.
• Please reinforce the advice to Victorians to stay home and stay safe.
• Look for signs of mental distress in your patients and encourage them to take a look at DHHS' coronavirus mental health webpage:  dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19
• Be aware of the increased risk for family violence during this difficult time. Familiarise yourself with the services available for your patients:  dhhs.vic.gov.au/family-violence-crisis-response-and-support-during-coronavirus

Read the full update

Access to care facilities is now limited 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, DHHS has enacted access limits in care facilities from 8 April which may impact the provision of services:

• The State Government has limited access to care facilities across the State, including residential aged care and other facilities, which may impact GPs and Service Providers
• DHHS’s Frequently Asked Questions in more simple language are here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-care-facilities-directions-frequently-asked-questions. There is a particular focus on up to date flu vaccination.

For more information visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-daily-update

Digital upload: a new way to refer to SEMPHN-funded services 

As our Access & Referral team and providers adjust to the new working environments, some organisations have advised they are experiencing issues with faxing referrals to A&R. 

A new process has therefore been established that will facilitate a secure upload of referrals online. 

Ways you can refer to SEMPHN services:

• Telephone: 1800 862 363 (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays)

• Fax: 1300 354 053

• Upload: Securely upload a referral form online

Visit our Access and Referral page for more information

Guidance for remote consultations

Recent updates to the HealthVitalIT guidance on remote consultations include a checklist and a section on etiquette.

Did you know that the RACGP supports the use of Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp etc for use in clinical settings? (See page 10 of their video consultation guide.) 

If you are billing the MBS telehealth items, SEMPHN can provide you with free access to HealthDirect's VideoCall platform. VideoCall helps with the workflow of video consultations. To find out more, contact the Digital Health team at digitalhealth@semphn.org.au. 

Changes to MBS telehealth items

As of 6 April, the MBS telehealth items are no longer bulk bill only, unless the patient is a Commonwealth concession cardholder, under 16 years old, or is more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Read more on the MBS news page. 

Temporary change to PIP QI funding

A temporary change has been made to the PIP QI (Practice Incentive Payment, Quality Improvement) funding levels.

For the next two PIP quarters, the funding will be doubled: $10 per Standard Whole Patient Equivalent (SWPE), increased from $5 per SWPE, and the quarterly payment cap raised from $12,500 to $25,000.

This increase is conditional upon the practice continuing to offer face-to-face consultations for at least four hours per day (this will be monitored via MBS claims data). 

 Update for MATOD, pharmacotherapy prescribers and pharmacies

New resources with important advice and clinical guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are now available, relating to providing Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Included in this advice you will find:

• Key information for prescribers and pharmacies delivering MATOD/pharmacotherapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Checklist for assessing appropriateness of take-away doses to support continuity of MATOD/pharmacotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Guidance for supplying methadone & buprenorphine (+/- naloxone) dose(s) to a third party in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any questions, please contact the Area 4 Pharmacotherapy Network:

• Southern metropolitan region: Michael Abelman on 0436 031 887 or Michael.Abelman@semphn.org.au
• Manager: Jana Dostal on 0428 785 371 or Jana.Dostal@semphn.org.au

 Supporting patients with cancer during COVID-19

A diagnosis of cancer can be challenging at the best of times, and the COVID-19 pandemic may be an especially difficult time for people undergoing cancer treatment and their families.  

If you’re reaching out to people with cancer you might like to share this video message from the Cancer Council.

If you’re seeking credible resources for patients and their families:

• Cancer Council has a dedicated webpage, a printable Cancer and Coronavirus Factsheet and an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19.
• Cancer Australia has an informative webpage for people affected by cancer.
• Cancer Council Victoria’s nurses can be called on 13 11 20, or 13 14 50 for other languages. They provide information and support services to anyone affected by cancer, whether it's patients, carers, family, friends, workplaces or health professionals.

For health professionals, Cancer Australia also has an up-to-date hub with evidence-based guidance for the management of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.