On 31/12/2022, the Federal Government closed the Port Melbourne Respiratory Clinic as part of their National COVID-19 Health Management Plan for 2023.
We understand the need to continue to have this facility and have decided to continue to operate a private Respiratory Clinic.
Opening hours will depend on demand and can be booked online HERE.
Ensure you select the Respiratory Clinic booking type.
Please observe the following:
- This is a private clinic, and prepayment is required for this appointment. The cost will be the same as a regular appointment, with a standard Medicare rebate applicable (this will usually be $39.75). This will be processed online and Medicare will pay this into your registered bank account, usually within 1-3 days. Additional fees may apply for single use equipment/medication such as spacers/ventolin.
- Swabbing will be available, for those who are eligible (viral panels and Covid PCR tests can be performed if the doctor finds that you meet the correct Medicare criteria for this).
- If you choose to attend at a time outside of the dedicated clinic hours for review of your cough/cold symptoms, you will be charged an additional PPE surcharge of $20. You must let reception know and wait outside. You will still be seen, however we have to ensure that no vulnerable patients (eg those who are currently on chemo and many others) are not exposed to any cough or cold symptoms, even if you have had a negative RAT.
COVID POSITIVE – TELEHEALTH
If you test positive to COVID-19, you may book in with your doctor for a telehealth appointment. All patients with a Medicare card will be eligible for a rebate if it is within the first 7 days of testing positive.
If you believe you are eligible for antivirals, this must be commenced in the first 5 days after symptom onset. If you are unable to secure an appointment online, please speak to a receptionist.
Private fees will apply.
COVID POSITIVE – FACE-TO-FACE ASSESSMENT
Unfortunately, the ability to provide face-to-face COVID-19 assessments will now be limited due to the removal of the Federal program. If you are COVID-19 positive, you may book in for a telehealth with your GP. There are many issues that can be managed safely and efficiently via telehealth.
If you require a face-to-face assessment, your GP will be able to advise you on how this can be done.
THE VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS OPENED SOME STATE RUN GP RESPIRATORY CLINICS.
THESE ARE AN OPTION FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO ATTEND A CLINIC THAT IS FREE OF CHARGE.
There are some free services available in Melbourne, with the closest listed below:
- State Run GP Respiratory Clinics – West Footscray GPRC, West Melbourne GPRC, Murrumbeena GPRC
- For Children: Royal Children’s Hospital Respiratory Clinic, North Melbourne Paediatric Respiratory Clinic and Monash Paediatric Respiratory Clinic
- Alfred Hospital – Emergency Department (ensure to advise of symptoms)
- Northern Hospital Virtual Emergency Department (link available on Northern Health website)
Please ensure you check the websites for these clinics, to check regarding opening hours and whether a booking is required.
ONGOING SYMPTOMS AFTER COVID INFECTION
The Respiratory Clinic is not a “Long COVID Clinic”. If you have ongoing symptoms after your COVID-19 infection (fatigue, brain fog, breathing issues or other concerns) it is best to book in with your regular GP to discuss this, arrange required tests and whether a referral to a hospital Long COVID Clinic is required. *If you have any chest pain, or new shortness of breath, please call 000.
If You Are: Symptomatic
Eligibility Criteria for FREE COVID-19 Testing
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Tiredness/lethargy
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste
- Loss of smell
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Headache
- Irritability/Confusion
- Muscular pain
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Pneumonia
- Acute respiratory disease/syndrome
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Stuffy nose
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
This clinic is NOT FOR ASYMPTOMATIC individuals, in any circumstances. We are not funded to see asymptomatic people. If you have booked in, you will unfortunately be turned away. To be clear, this clinic CANNOT SEE:
- Close contacts who don’t have symptoms
- People with no symptoms, even if they have a letter from the Department of Health
- People needing preoperative clearance swabs
- People requiring travel clearance swabs
We ask all patients who book into the RC to stay in their car until the doctor calls them. If you have waited more than 15 minutes past your appointment time, you can call to make sure you are in fact booked in.
The doctor will take a history from you over the phone and will then bring you through to the clinic, where you will sanitise your hands, then be given a mask if you do not have one. The examination required will be determined by the symptoms you are experiencing. You will then be swabbed, provided advice about isolating, how to manage your illness and what to do in the event that your symptoms change.
Results are currently taking 1-2 days depending on the demand. Pathology will send you an SMS as soon as the results are processed. You will receive this result before we have received them. We do keep a list of all swabs taken and if we haven’t received them by day 4 we are actively chasing them already behind the scenes.
If you have severe symptoms please call 000
If You Are: Asymptomatic
There is a non rebatable Medicare cost of $195.00 for this service payable in advance.
(PCR TEST-COVID-19 AIRLINE SWABS FOR FLIGHT CLEARANCE)
*Results typically received within 48 hours but allow 72hours.
At Port Melbourne Medical, we have developed a process to offer swabbing for individuals and businesses who are seeking testing outside of the Government Respiratory Clinic testing criteria.
Examples may include:
- People leaving the country and who require a negative swab to enter their home 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
Unfortunately, if you do not meet the Eligibility Criteria for FREE COVID-19 Testing as outlined above, you are not eligible for funded swabbing. At PMM, this will be conducted by one of our COVID-swabbing trained nurses and they will be in full PPE. If you have no symptoms you are not required to isolate pending results.
Please note: We CANNOT provide free asymptomatic swabbing in ANY CIRCUMSTANTCES, even if you have a letter. We are not funded for this. If you are having surgery, you may be able to get free swabbing through your hospital. Please speak to your surgeon. If you require day 11 close contact swabbing, this must be done at a STATE run service, such as the drive through clinics.
If you would like to have your swab done privately, please book in through 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 time suitable for you. Due to the cost of PPE and the fee for the swab, this appointment will require pre-payment.