Covid-19 FAQ’s

No. We ask all patients who book into the RC to stay in their car until the doctor calls them. You do not need to check in, you will be called at your appointment time. If you have walked please practice social distancing from others outside the clinic.

If you fit the eligibility criteria, your Covid-19 test will be free through Government funded swabbing.
Eligibility Criteria for FREE COVID-19 Testing:

• cough
• runny nose
• sore throat
• fever or chills (without other clear source of infection)
• shortness of breath
• new loss of sense of taste or smell.

In addition, anyone who is at higher risk due to their environmental exposure (close contact of a confirmed case, health or aged care workers, or returned from overseas travel in the past 14 days) should also be tested if they have new onset of other clinic symptoms associated with COVID-19:

• headache
• muscle ache
• stuffy nose
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

If you do not have any symptoms (asymptomatic) but want or need a Covid-19 test for reasons such as:

• people leaving the state/country and who require a negative swab to enter their home state/country
• Return to work “clearance” or who are starting a new job
• Entering a hospital or having elective surgery or dental procedures
• Caring for an elderly family member or vulnerable person
• Required to work in confined areas such as building sites
• Having come in to contact with a confirmed case and have been advised to get tested however you don’t have any cold or flu like symptoms (asymptomatic)
• If you have received a letter from the Department of Health advising to get tested on day 11

If you are asymptomatic, meaning you don’t have any cold or flu like symptoms, you can book in to Port Melbourne Medical via our website portmelbournemedical.com.au

Simply click on the Book Online link at the top right hand corner. Scroll through and select the Asymptomatic Covid-19 practitioner and select an appointment suitable for you.

Results are currently taking between 2-5 days depending on the demand. Pathology will send you an SMS as soon as the results are processed. You will usually receive this result before we have received them.

The doctor will take a sample from the back of your throat and from your nose. It may be slightly uncomfortable but it’s over very quickly. One of our doctors described it feeling like the tickle of a feather.

Unfortunately you can only get swabbed in Port Melbourne Respiratory Clinic if you have symptoms, however, we are now offering private swabbing in Port Melbourne Medical.

You only need to get a swab if you develop cold or flu like symptoms.

The person who tested positive will be advised to self-isolate. This means you should try to isolate yourself away from them, for example, use separate bathrooms, sleep in separate bedrooms and use a different living space, or if you are able to move to separate accommodation. Depending on your level of exposure, you may be required undertake 14 days of quarantine. The best way to protect yourself and others is to follow good hand hygiene rules, social distancing measures, wear a mask and demonstrate proper coughing etiquette, for example, cough in to the inside of your elbow. You don’t need to get tested unless you develop cold or flu like symptoms. In the event that the Department of Health suggests otherwise, they will advise where you should go to have the swab. Our respiratory clinic cannot test any asymptomatic people.

At PMM, we recognise that some of our patients require a private swab and have partnered with Melbourne Pathology to offer private swabbing. This will be conducted by one of our trained nurses and they will be in full PPE. If you have no symptoms you are not required to isolate pending results. If you would like to have your swab done privately, you can book in to Port Melbourne Medical via our website portmelbournemedical.com.au Click on the Book Online link at the top right hand corner. Scroll through and select the Asymptomatic Covid-19 practitioner and select an appointment suitable for you. This appointment type requires pre-payment. The cost of a private Covid-19 test is $250.

You can request a certificate from your doctor that states that you tested negative. The certificate will also state that you have been advised to self-isolate until you have no symptoms at all AND you have had no fevers for 72 hours AND you have received negative test results.

If you continue to have symptoms, you should contact your GP for follow up. There is a 15-30% false negative rate with the swabs, so just because your swab is negative does not always mean you are not infectious. If your GP is one at Port Melbourne Medical, we ask that you book a phone consultation in the first instance, and examination will be arranged as required. If you attend a different GP clinic, please call ahead and explain your situation. Most clinics will be offering phone consultations during this pandemic.

Outside of being admitted to a hospital, or under the direction of the Department of Health, you cannot get a second swab for the same illness.

The Department of Health will guide you on when you can return to work, or leave your home. If you need a clearance swab, they will direct you to where you can go. We cannot provide clearance swabs as we are not funded to provide asymptomatic screening or clearance swabs.

We have been inspected and accredited by the Federal Department of Health on our safety protocols and standards to ensure you are safe to enter the Respiratory Clinic. We firstly ask you wait in your car so we do not have people standing close to each other when waiting. Secondly, the doctor will call you and ask questions over the phone, and thus minimise the time you spend in the clinic. On entering, you will be provided with hand sanitiser, and a mask if you not have one. You will be examined and swabbed, and provided with clinical advice relevant to your illness. Your mask will remain on for the whole time with the exception of the swab, and throat examination. In most instances, your time in the clinic is limited to a matter of minutes. Your mask will have to be disposed of before you leave the building.

The Respiratory Clinic is suitable for mild to moderate illnesses. We are unable to monitor you in the way a GP might have monitored someone with chest pain prior to the pandemic. If you have chest pain/pressure/discomfort, you are very short of breath and cannot talk a full sentence, you are feeling light headed or like you may faint, feeling palpitations or bleeding, you must call an ambulance by dialling 000.

No, you must remain at home in isolation until you are 100% well PLUS you have a negative swab result PLUS you have been fever free for 72 hours.

YES, you do. We are asking EVERY person with symptoms to have a swab regardless of how mild their symptoms are. Clinically, we are unable to tell the difference between COVID-19 and your usual winter virus. Whilst you may not be too unwell, you could be spreading your virus to vulnerable people and we ask you do get tested. There is no way of determining if it is your usual cold Vs COVID-19 without a swab.