By Laura Michell
A GP-led respiratory clinic has opened in Thomastown.
The Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) and First People’s Health and Wellbeing opened the High Street clinic earlier this month.
EMPHN chief executive Janine Wilson said the clinic is one of more than 100 respiratory clinics set up across the country by the federal government.
She said the clinic had been set up to assess people with respiratory symptoms and, where appropriate, test people for COVID-19, the flu and pneumonia.
“Importantly, this respiratory clinic will help the local health care services – taking the pressure off hospitals and general practices by providing dedicated treatment to people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of fever or sore throat, cough, fatigue or shortness of breath,” Ms Wilson said.
“This clinic will help to reduce pressure on [Northern Hospital’s] emergency department and allow other local medical practices to treat people who aren’t showing signs of suffering from the coronavirus.”
First People’s Health and Wellbeing chief executive Karinda Taylor urged anyone in the north-eastern suburbs with mild-to-moderate symptoms, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to make an appointment.
She said the community response to the clinic had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“As one of the Aboriginal health services in Melbourne conducting COVID-19 testing, we have had a big influx of new patients for virus testing.”.
To make an appointment, call 9070 8181.
