Coronavirus (COVID -19) Information

Coronavirus (COVID -19) is a highly contagious global viral pandemic. As you may be following in the news it is responsible for much illness throughout the world. Current social distancing is designed to reduce large numbers of concurrent infections so that health services can keep up with large numbers of acutely sick patients.

Our professional body The Australian Society of Otolaryngologists and Head and Neck Surgeons (ASOHNS) has advised that Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeons are at high risk of occupational exposure to the virus from predominantly asymptomatic patients. ENT surgeons and support staff may also be at increased risk from any related procedures on the nose, mouth or throat.

ASOHNS have recommended:

  • Delay routine clinic visits, using telephone consults where possible
  • Delay elective and non-urgent admissions / procedures
  • Urgent and emergency cases will still be undertaken

We at The ENT Clinic are committed to providing high quality healthcare in a safe and timely manner. To this end we are offering bulk billed telephone consults as a first point of contact for appropriate new patients at which we can arrange further necessary investigations and triage urgent cases. For patients who are urgent (significant infections or concerns about cancer) we will arrange a face to face appointment with appropriate equipment. For returning patients results can be discussed over the phone to reduce unnecessary travel and contact, especially important in vulnerable groups.

If it is recommended that a face to face appointment is required then as per Ramsay Hospital Guidelines there must be no recent contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19, no recent history of travel to high risk countries, fever or cough. Further criteria from www.ramsayhealth.com.au/news/novel-coronavirus.

We are endeavouring to have quick testing available so that for those testing negative for the virus routine ENT surgeries are not delayed.

We look for your understanding and patience in this challenging time – these temporary changes are to protect your health and that of the general population. We are working hard for you to mitigate the effects of this far reaching pandemic.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr Charles Giddings FRACS FRCS(ORL-HNS)
&
Associate Professor Joanne Rimmer FRACS FRCS(ORL-HNS)