COVID-19 UPDATES
31st August 2021
South Kingsville is continuing to roll out the AstraZeneca (now called Vaxzevria) vaccine as part of the Australia-wide COVID vaccination program. All "First shot" clinics at Westgate Health are complete and we are now in the process of delivering our "Second shot" clinics. Whilst these are fully booked, we do have the occasional cancellation, so please let Reception know if you would like to be on a waiting list to receive a Second shot of AstraZeneca vaccine.
We are aware that patients are seeking the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination, however, Westgate Health are not currently offering Pfizer – to book a Pfizer vaccination, please go to: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment
Thankyou for your ongoing patience as we roll out the vaccine in a dynamic environment.
7th April 2021
Everyone is by now aware that the COVID 1B vaccination rollout has commenced in Australia. Australia has never embarked on a vaccination program like this in its history. To vaccinate the whole country in one year with a newly developed vaccine is breaking new ground and stretching existing systems and resources. The roadmap is being developed and rolled out in real time. Not surprisingly, there are challenges, frustrations, and bumps on the road, some of which you have probably heard about and perhaps experienced yourself.
Here at Westgate Health, we received our first delivery of COVID vaccinations, which is good news. Unfortunately, we also have confirmation that we will only receive 50 vaccinations each fortnight which is only enough vaccinations for 600 of our 10,000 members, between now and October. We understand the frustration and disappointment of this news, and we sincerely apologise to you, our members, that it seems that we will only be vaccinating a small number of our eligible 1B members.
To ensure we are looking after our most vulnerable members , we will be contacting our 80+ year old members first, and then we will contact our members who their doctors have nominated as being their most health compromised patients until we have filled our bookings. We receive many phone calls each day from members who would like to get their vaccination, and unfortunately we are unable to help, and this will be the case into the foreseeable future. We respectfully request that you don't call the clinic to request a vaccination, as we are unlikely to be able to assist except for our most vulnerable members.
Whilst we may not be able to offer everyone a COVID vaccine, we think we have some tips to help you if you'd like to get your vaccination and are eligible under 1B:
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker | Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker . Use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. |
We appreciate your patience and again apologise that we will not be able to assist all our members on this occasion. We hope that the pressure will ease soon and people will have more certainty how to access COVID vaccination soon. We will continue to update you as any new information becomes available.
17th March 2021
We are not yet taking COVID vaccination bookings. We will update the website as soon as bookings are available.
As vaccines become available, they are prioritised for people in higher risk groups.
Priority groups have been identified using public health, medical and epidemiological evidence, including expert advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). This advice is consistent with the World Health Organisation.
This includes people that would be at higher risk of serious illness if they contracted COVID19, and those most likely to be exposed to it.
Phase 1b priority population groups include:
· people 70 years of age or older;
· health care workers;
· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 55 years;
· Younger people with an underlying medical condition, including people with a disability; and
· critical and high risk workers, including Australian Government officials about to be deployed overseas on official government business.
Proof of eligibility
Patients will need to prove their eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to receive the vaccine in Phase 1b.
Individuals and health professionals can use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to see if an individual is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The eligibility checker will be updated as further information is provided.
The table below provides examples of appropriate types of proof per population group:
Healthcare Workers not included in Phase 1a |
Proof of occupation (ID card, letter from employer) or Phase 1B Declaration Form |
Critical and high risk workers |
Proof of occupation (ID card, letter from employer) or Phase 1B Declaration Form |
People over 70 years |
All standard forms of identification (drivers licence, passport) will be accepted |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55 years |
Self-identification as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Person |
People over 18 years with an underlying medical condition, including disability |
Medical records (for example, a clinic record, MyHealth Record, printout of chronic disease plan); a referral from a GP or treating specialist; or a Phase 1B Declaration Form |
Carers and disability workers |
Carers documentation or proof of occupation (ID card or letter from employer/centre-based support provider); or a Phase 1B Declaration Form |
Underlying medical conditions
The following tables provides further guidance on specific underlying medical conditions which are eligible under Phase 1b. This guidance may change and will be updated on the Departments website https://www.health.gov.au/
Conditions |
Notes |
Immunocompromising conditions |
|
Solid organ transplant recipients who are on immune suppressive therapy |
|
Bone marrow transplant or on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy |
|
Haematological diseases or cancers |
Including: leukaemia, lymphoma, or myeloma |
Non-haematological cancer |
Diagnosed in the last 12 months, or currently receiving therapy, or not in remission |
Those on immune suppressive therapy for graft versus host disease |
|
Those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy |
|
Chronic inflammatory conditions and treatments |
Including: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and similar who have been treated with Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or immune-suppressive therapy. Generally not inclusive of people living with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. |
Primary or acquired immunodeficiency |
Including: congenital causes of immunodeficiency and HIV/AIDS |
Other underlying conditions |
|
Chronic renal (kidney) failure with eGFR of <44mL/min |
Does not include mild-moderate chronic kidney disease |
Heart disease |
Including: Ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies and pulmonary hypertension |
Chronic lung disease |
Including: of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease. |
Does not include mild or moderate asthma |
|
Diabetes |
|
Severe obesity with BMI > 40kg/m2 |
|
Chronic liver disease |
|
Some neurological conditions |
Including: Stroke, dementia, Multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy. |
Generally not inclusive of migraine or cluster headaches |
|
Poorly controlled blood pressure (defined as two or more pharmacologic agents for blood pressure control, regardless of recent readings) |
For more information visit The Australian Government Heath Department website here
3rd March 2021
COVID Vaccinations
We are please to advise that Westgate Health Co-operative has been approved as a COVID vaccination clinic. However, we are not yet able to offer or take bookings for COVID vaccinations.
The Federal Government rollout of the vaccination program will be staggered, and we have not yet been informed when we will be able to commence vaccination.
Please note:
The first round of vaccinations (Phase 1b) will only be available to:
*People will need to provide proof of these conditions to demonstrate their eligibility for vaccination via My health record, a health professional referral if required or a declaration form.
** Workers will need to provide proof of occupation to demonstrate their eligibilityBookings can not be taken at this time. Please do not ring the clinic to book in for a COVID vaccination, as we are not yet authorised to commence the booking process.
Our staff and doctors are training up in COVID vaccination so that we can be ready to deliver the vaccination as soon as it becomes available.
If you have any further questions, please email info@westgatehealth.coop15th February 2021
QR Code sign-in
When you attend our clinic, you will now be required to sign in using a QR code. This will ensure we are safe and prepared in the event of any community outbreak.
27th January 2021
Telehealth Appointments
A Face to Face consultation within the last 12 months is now required by Medicare before Telehealth consultations can be conducted. To find out if you are eligible for
Telehealth consultations, please call the clinic and one of our friendly
receptionists will be able to assist you further.
18th October 2020
We are happy to advise that, due to the easing of Victorian COVID-19 restrictions, Allied Health appointments can now be made for all services. Telehealth appointments are still preferred where possible, with in person appointments as necessary.
Call now to book
30th September 2020
Services Update -
Dental Appointments.
The Australian Dental Association has announced that the new restrictions in Melbourne now allow dentists to work according to ADA Level 1 guidelines.
This means dental appointments can now be made for all services unless the you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Please contact our friendly Receptionists to make an appointment.
Allied Health Services.
While Telehealth appointments are still preferable, face to face appointments are available for significant issues that require immediate care.
https://westgatehealth.coop/contact-us
15th July 2020
Due to the current escalation of COVID cases across Melbourne, we are kindly asking that patients wear a mask before entering our clinics. If you have your own mask then we request that you bring this with you to your appointment. We will however supply masks to patients who do not have one.
As you can understand the safety and well-being of our patients and staff is paramount, and this is yet another step in reducing the risk of spreading this virus.
We thank you for your understanding
11th May 2020
We are still open for essential Face to Face consultations. Telehealth consultations are our preferred method, however we realise a face to face appointment may be necessary. Please call us to have one of our friendly Receptionists assist with your booking.
Appointments must be made prior to arrival (no walk-ins).
Before entering a clinic one of our nurses will screen you at the door. This involves taking your temperature, hand sanitising, and responding to a few questions.
Social distancing must be adhered to in waiting rooms.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep your health and wellbeing on track.
We are still here for you, so there’s no need to put off or miss medical appointments, or ignore symptoms during isolation.
March 2020
The safety, health and wellbeing of our members and staff is paramount and as such we have implemented some strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
We have transitioned to Telehealth appointments for all doctor and allied health consultations. If you require an in-person essential procedure with a doctor you will first need to be screened for COVID-19 via Telehealth. Subject to a satisfactory screening, an in-person appointment will then be scheduled for you to see a doctor. This measure has been put in place to ensure we minimise any risk of contamination to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of our members and staff.
If you wish to make a Telehealth appointment, please contact our reception team on 9391 6777 or 9391 2222.
If you are feeling unwell with fever, cough, cold, flu like symptoms or shortness of breathand:
1. Been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus
2. Returned from overseas in the past 14 days
3. Travelled on a cruise ship (either passenger or crew) in the 14 days before developing symptoms
4. Are a health care, aged care or residential care worker.
Please DO NOT present to a Westgate Health clinic, but rather:
Please speak with one of our Receptionists for more information.
We appreciate your co-operation and assistance at this time. Our Team is working hard to ensure we continue to provide you with the best quality health care during this challenging period.