COVID19 Update – Hunter Women’s Health Centre

25/03/20

COVID19 Update – Hunter Women’s Health Centre

In the last month, the global COVID19 pandemic has become prominent in NSW.

The population groups of particular vulnerability include those over the age of 65 years; immunocompromised persons and those with additional medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, active cancer, heart disease or atrial fibrillation.

Pregnancy has not yet been implicated, however is known to reduce immune function. Other viral infections such as ‘flu’ are known to carry additional risk of severe infection compared to the risk in non-pregnant women.

Consultations between the John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle Private Hospital, Lake Macquarie Hospital and other local public and private Obstetrician Gynaecologists has generated a new set of recommendations aimed at reducing infection risk to staff and patients.

In the rooms we are currently implementing a number of measures to maintain safe practice whilst ensuring women that absolutely need an appointment are seen.

• Drs Bailey and Thomas are screening all future appointments to determine the necessity of each consultation (rather than postponing this review until the pandemic has passed).
• All women will be texted prior to their appointment. In keeping with the NSW Health guidelines, if you have symptoms that could be caused by COVID19 (fever, sore throat, cough/sneeze, runny nose), you SHOULD NOT ATTEND YOUR APPOINTMENT. We are happy to reschedule a visit, if your reason for referral if sufficiently concerning.
• Please ring when you arrive, if we are ready for you then we will tell you to come in.  If there is already a patient in the waiting room, you will be asked to remain outside or in your car. We will then call you when it is time to enter the practice. The office door will remain shut until you arrive, at which time, if reception is unattended you should call 4959 3883.
• On arrival you will be asked screening questions, your temperature will be taken and you will be required to use hand sanitiser.
• If your infection risk is high you will be offered the chance to reschedule in order to minimise the risk to staff and other women.
• If you need to be seen in person, visitors or support people are welcome to wait outside, but are no longer able to enter the office. Children should be left with another carer for the duration of your appointment. These restrictions are based on current evidence showing infection may occur before symptoms develop.

Future consultations during the COVID19 pandemic

Drs Bailey and Thomas are still seeing some women face-to-face. A Telehealth consultation process is being set up, which will be utilised as the default setting. Your Telehealth consultation may occur by FaceTime, Zoom or by telephone. Only women deemed to have a pressing need will be seen in person.

Antenatal women

The recommendations from the local obstetrics groups include limited antenatal visits for low risk women. Blood pressure screening and fetal heart rate will be performed by the midwife prior to Obstetrician Telehealth review. Notification of results and some consultations may be conducted by telephone.

A tiered approach to care in this way is necessary in order to ensure Obstetricians remain able to deliver Labour and Emergency care as required. 

During labour, only one person is now able to be present in the delivery suite. Each hospital has a different policy as to how long the support person is permitted to remain due to the need to minimise infection to all. Drs Bailey and Thomas will discuss the specific schedule and plans for labour with each individual.

We realise this is a difficult time for everyone. If you have any questions or I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the office on 4959 3883.

Kind regards,

Roxanne Bailey

Practice Manager