Floreat Medical, like many, has adapted in order to deal with the challenge of the corona virus pandemic in 2020 and continues to deliver our usual patient and family friendly, high quality, primary health care. We have embraced the issues of quarantine, Covid-19 testing, social distancing, and heightened infection control and telehealth consultations as part of our new way of offering service and care.
Phone consultations between patient and doctor enabled Floreat Medical to stay open and continue to deliver the health care service our patients require. Patient triage, where we could assess any COVID or other risk by asking questions on the phone, allowed doctors to determine when it was safe for a patient to attend the practice for examination when needed. This underpinned our ability to keep all patients safe from infection in the waiting room, as well as keeping our staff and doctors safe. The heightened hygiene routines and social distancing, as well as our closed borders in Western Australia, has reduced the incidence of viral illness and we have seen the lowest incidence of influenza in 2020 in the State.
We have made a number of physical changes at the practice this year. A large white board has almost become a standing fixture at the back door.
This is regularly updated so that we reflect the latest Department of Health advice for screening patients for Covid-19 symptoms. We even had large red cones and bunting around the front reception desk, to remind patients to stand back from the counter when speaking with receptionists. These cones have now been replaced with an “X” taped on the floor in front of newly fitted glass paneling which provides a permanent, yet unobtrusive, cough guard for our staff. A hygiene station is set up in the corridor inside the back door to provide patients with hand gel and tissues and a reminder to use cough etiquette to stop the spread of germs. Our doctors switched to wearing scrubs, for ease of cleaning, and in addition, they provide a visual reminder to patients that we are taking all precautions. We acknowledge that WA has been well managed and fortunate compared to other States, however, Floreat Medical has put in place permanent processes and protocols that will continue to protect patients. We realize that the COVID virus has become an ongoing part of life.
Our receptionists have tirelessly screened every appointment by telephoning patients – which we are sure more than a few of you have experienced! Thank you to all of you for your patience in answering the screening questions and complying with our protocols for telephone assessment prior to face-to-face appointments where necessary. Our nurses have provided backup with triaging patients and endless cleaning, and overall it has been a terrific team effort from all members of the clinical and administration team at Floreat Medical.
Our resolve is to do our best to look after our community and provide our patients with safe access to the care they need. Diagnosis, management and prevention of illness and disease must continue even in these difficult times.
We often reflect how lucky we are to be in Floreat WA, and to have a great Floreat Medical team, which promotes a positive, helpful environment to deliver our best level of service to our patients.
Christmas tidings and good wishes for 2021 from all of us at Floreat Medical.
