Mackay-based general practice South Side Medical is using innovative methods to deal with the current busy winter season of COVID-19 and influenza and protect the safety of its patients.

Australia had record low flu numbers during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of influenza cases have increased rapidly this winter.

South Side Medical Practice Owner/Manager Kath O’Brien said the practice had utilised a separate area of the practice called ‘The Green Clinic’ throughout the COVID vaccination period, and has now continued its use as part of its winter strategy to care for patients.

“We have one doctor assigned to the Green Clinic, which has got its own external entrance and extraction fan to improve air quality,” she said.

“Every patient is screened when they book an appointment at our practice, and if they do online appointments, they are screened through the online booking app.

“If we think they could be potentially infected, they're still able to be seen physically but it means we can examine them safely through the Green Clinic and not risk exposure to other patients.

“It takes a lot of pressure off our receptionists, and we can give our patients a safe option.”

Kath believes the Green Clinic and similar models of care will become the normal way of delivering services through general practice. 

“We think that it works really well, and the patients themselves are also understanding how important it is,” she said. 

All systems associated with the clinic are automated such as booking, checking in when they arrive, and collection of payment, and to ensure no unnecessary contact is made with the unwell patient.

E-scripts are utilised as well as e-ordering for pathology and radiology, and patients are able to wait in their car until the doctor is ready or alternatively take a seat outside in the fresh air.

“There is a lot of anxiety and concern out there in the community, especially now we’re into winter and the viruses which are circulating,” said Kath.

“The patient could be infectious with flu or COVID, and if you infect the doctors and the staff, they have to take a week off and it reduces the capacity for them to see patients.

“We’re also protecting our other patients that are vulnerable from something else that could potentially harm them, and most of our patients are very familiar with our system so it's actually become part of the language with our regular patients.

“In the beginning our patients were worried they wouldn't get an appointment.

“However, once we reassured them about our Green Clinic, it increased accessibility for them and just gave them an option where they could still see one of our doctors, but felt comfortable at the same time.”

The Green Clinic is not the only initiative developed by South Side Medical to ensure patient safety during the COVID pandemic and into this year’s winter season.

“The other initiative that we've had for a long time is a designated waiting room for parents of newborns, specifically set up for babies,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Our mums love it, as their babies, especially those too young to be vaccinated, are not sitting in the general waiting room exposed to people.

“The rooms are fitted out with comfortable chairs for feeding, a change table, and closable door for privacy.

“This has helped us retain our high vaccination rates for our children, and patients are reassured their babies are safe in the waiting rooms and makes the new mums and dads feel a little bit special as well.”

Young Mackay father Brendan McKechnie was struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety symptoms, and the impacts they were having on his day-to-day living.

Fortunately, he found the Continuity of Support (CoS) program, funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, and operated by selectability in Mackay.

The 26-year-old first started in the Day-to-Day Living (D2DL) program five years ago and progressed to CoS.

“I was a heavy alcoholic and had health issues that came along with that. I have ADHD and borderline personality disorder as well,” Mr McKechnie said.

“I was asked if I was interested in getting some more support by another service I was engaged with, and I basically said that I would give it a go.

“I have been helped by a lot of different staff over the years. There have been a few different support workers and a couple of different people who were managing the program. I also got to continue with group support at the Mackay Horizon Clubhouse through selectability.

“The individual supports have been the most helpful. I usually get the support workers to help me with getting grocery shopping done, they helped me to access other support services, and they have helped me to stick to my recovery plan and stop drinking so much.”

Mr McKechnie said the program had been a great help.

“I don’t have problematic drinking anymore. I have made good connections. I have a baby and partner now and I am working towards getting a job,” Mr McKechnie said.

“The program has helped me get motivated and helped me to connect with places where I can get support to get a job. I have a White Card (construction) now and I am studying to get a standard 11 and get a job in the mines.

“Finding and maintaining stable employment has previously been a significant issue for me because my mental health has been a significant barrier to success.”

Mr McKechnie recommended the program to others.

“I would say that if it wasn’t for this program and the people in it, I would still be in the same bad situation that I was in five years ago,” Mr McKechnie said.

Program coordinator Stacy Irwin said the flexibility of the service provided to Mr McKechnie supported his engagement in group activities, one-on-one supports and service navigation.

“One highlight for Brendan has been the opportunity to engage in psychoeducational workshops aimed at improving resilience building capacity and a better understanding of mental wellbeing,” Ms Irwin said.

“Recently, Brendan had the opportunity to engage with a group-based workshop with an individual support worker.

“The support worker was essential for supporting Brendan’s understanding of the workshop content, being a sounding board for the clarification of key points, companionship to ease anxiety in a new setting with unfamiliar faces, and essential transport to and from the workshop.

“The workshop content was focussed on upskilling Queenslanders for work and supporting them to overcome barriers to employment.”

CoS funding is used to support and/or mentor participants of the former Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) and Day-to-Day Living (D2DL) programs who have tested for eligibility but were ineligible for support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The support has enabled participants to continue to work towards and achieve goals in their Individual Recovery Plans, assist participants to make and attend appointments, manage daily tasks, facilitate transport, address barriers to social and economic participation, secure stable housing, improve personal, parenting or vocational skills, in line with the previous objectives of the PHaMs program   and the D2DL program (September 2017).

Health practitioners will be given the latest knowledge and techniques about providing care for older people living at home, receiving in-patient care, or living in residential aged care facilities at a symposium in Townsville on 6 August.

James Cook University (JCU) and Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) are hosting the full day interactive aged care symposium, a first in the region.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said as the region’s population aged, it was critical   health care professionals in the aged care sector were given the most up-to-date information and skills to care for older people.

“We know that aged care is growing and is a big challenge for health practitioners to give their patients the best care and attention,” she said.

“This event will help skill them as well as provide the latest information to care for their older patients at home, in hospital, or in residential aged care facilities.”

JCU Adjunct Professor Dr Edward Strivens, a practising clinician and national leader in geriatric medicine and dementia, will give a presentation about the Royal Commission into Aged Care findings and recommendations.

“The Royal Commission highlighted some of the immense challenges and barriers we all face in delivering quality aged care for older Australians and its recommendations potentially give a once in a generation opportunity to ensure the most vulnerable people in our society receive the right care, in the right place, and at the right time,” Dr Strivens said.

“This symposium will give a great opportunity to see where we can use those recommendations to drive change.”

“Other topics at the symposium will include an overview of assessment of older people as well as interactive workshops on Minding the Mind: Ageing, Cognitive Functioning, and Social and Emotional Wellbeing; mobility, frailty and exercise prescription for older adults and understanding high risks medications in advanced age.”

JCU Dean of College of Healthcare Sciences Professor Lee Stewart said the symposium came at a critical moment.

'With the renewed focus on the quality (or lack thereof) of Aged Care in Australia over the past months, this symposium provides a timely reminder as well as giving specific knowledge and skills to support health professionals in providing the best quality care to our precious elderly in diverse communities,” Professor Stewart said.  

The symposium is at JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas on 6 August 2022.