Page 703 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 5 April 2022
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holidays, from 7.30 am to 10 pm, providing a rapid assessment and primary healthcare service for patients with an active infection of COVID-19.
People can access treatment for non-urgent illness or injury unrelated to COVID-19 or care for COVID-19 related respiratory symptoms. Non-urgent care of illness and injury such as cuts and abrasions, strains and sprains, infections and wound care is provided in line with the walk-in centre treatment protocols. The clinic also provides care for consumers who may not be able to access care in the primary health sector as a result of being a close contact of someone with COVID-19.
As at the end of March, 1,443 presentations had been seen at the COVID-19 clinic, including 311 children. The clinic, which works closely with the COVID Care@Home team, has also provided 93 infusions of antivirals. The clinic works collaboratively with teams from across Canberra Health Services, for example to provide care and support for children under two years of age and to women requiring maternal care such as during pregnancy. The clinic is actively promoted through our COVID-19 Care@Home team, the ACT government COVID-19 website and through social media platforms.
Patients who require urgent or time-specific care, such as cancer patients requiring radiation therapy, and who are under COVID-19 quarantine can access timely care through our clinical services. The clinical teams work with patients to ensure they can access treatment while following well-considered protocols to keep both our consumers and staff at low risk of transmission. Patients with booked outpatient appointments who may not be able to attend face-to-face appointments because of COVID-19 are able to access these services through telehealth appointments. This means patients are still able to be reviewed by their treating teams to ensure continued care and treatment of their conditions.
The ACT’s COVID-19 vaccination program continues to be world leading. I am pleased to report that in the ACT more than 80 per cent of five- to 11-year-olds have now received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and now more than half are up to date with their vaccination, having received a second dose. More than 98 per cent of all Canberrans aged five years and older have now completed their primary vaccination course, and almost three out of four eligible Canberrans have now received a booster or third dose.
Our vaccination coverage is an exceptional achievement that has put the ACT public health system in a strong position as we move towards potential surges in winter. Our achievement represents a strong partnership between the ACT government, primary care providers and a range of community partners, as well as the commonwealth government. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the vaccination program and every Canberran who has come forward to be vaccinated.
Madam Speaker, following my last update to the Assembly, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, or ATAGI, has recommended an additional COVID-19 vaccine for some members of the community, in what we anticipate will be a challenging winter season. Medical experts have warned that this year we will see an increase in respiratory viruses due to influenza and COVID-19. With
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