covid-19.

Coronavirus is an evolving international health concern. In the wake of community concerns around COVID-19, Windsor Allied Health will continue to support our clients in the safest possible way, maintaining our focus on the mental wellbeing on our clients.

We are committed to ensuring our team are healthy when they are at work. We are equally committed to reducing your risk of exposure to illness while attending your appointments with us.

To assist us in the delivery of our services, please stay up to date with all advice provided by the Department of Health:www.health.gov.au

If you feel you are symptomatic (any flu symptoms) or suspect you might test positive for the coronavirus, please DO NOT come in for your session and contact us request a Telehealth session.

Flu symptoms can include: A fever (≥38°C) or history of fever (e.g., night sweats, chills) OR acute respiratory infection (e.g., coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat).

If you are scheduled to see your psychologist at the practice (face to face), you will receive a call or text message from our Reception staff to ask you the COVID screening questions.

Please remember to practice social distancing at all times during your visit at Windsor Allied Health.

We ask that you contact PublicHealth on 1800 671 738 for advice about the coronavirus (COVID-19) if you have any concerns about your symptoms.

If possible, please notify the practice 48 hours in advance if you are unable to attend your session. We are following Department of Health guidelines around hygiene and encourage you to do the same.

Here are few things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading or getting the virus:

• Cough into your elbow
• Practice social distancing (2 metres)
• Throw away used tissues
• Wash hands for a minimum 20 seconds regularly, and use hand sanitiser often
• Stay home if you are unwell or when and if requested by government.

‍

For more advice and resources visit www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources

We are ensuring team members remain at home if they are unwell. Likewise, we ask that you reschedule your appointments with us at the first sign of ill-health.

Please follow our usual policy for cancellations and give at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Where more than 48 hours’ notice is given there will be no cancellation fee charged.

If you are unwell and cannot give 48 hours’ notice, please call us as soon as you can. We are happy to discuss waiving the cancellation fee during the current crisis if you are unwell, however we ask that you please give as much notice as possible.

If you and/or your psychologist prefer to stay home, or are in isolation but still well enough to run your session we can offer Telehealth sessions via various platforms including telephone calls.

So, if you need to cancel your appointment due to isolation, or because you prefer to stay home you will be offered a Telehealth option as an alternative to cancelling.

Our Reception team can step you through connecting to different Telehealth platforms if you are uncertain. Sessions fees cover the time spent with your psychologist. Therefore, we charge our normal fee for Telehealth sessions.

Also check with your private health insurer to see if you can access a rebate under these special circumstances. If your session is funded by your employer or another third party your normal arrangements should apply.

COVID-19 is presenting challenges we have never had to deal with before, and while we must stay physically distanced during this time, it is also important to stay connected.

It is also important to know that support is available if you feel like you or a loved one are not coping, including:

• Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)
• Lifeline Australia (13 11 14)
• Rural Alive and Well (1300 4357 6283)
• Men's Line Australia (1300 789 978)
• Kids Helpline (1800 551 800)
• Alcohol and Drug Information Service (1800 811 994)
• Quitline (13 78 48)
• Tasmanian Service Directory  http://www.atdc.org.au/service-directory/