BALLARAT general practitioner Tony Bongiorno is urgently calling for an open-air testing process for coronavirus cases in a bid to ease pressure on hospitals and promote a slow herd immunity.
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Dr Bongiorno is putting forward a case for a drive-through style screening to effectively duplicate what is playing out in doctors' surgeries and emergency departments, but allowing people to remain isolated in cars and be tested faster.
Deeply frustrated, Dr Bongiorno said existing procedures lacked clear guidance, consistency, efficiency and were using up scarce resources, particularly in gowning up, when there were alternatives.
Dr Bongiorno was also concerned by what he said was government tardiness in addressing the issue, despite the fast-evolving nature of coronavirus restrictions.
What we're doing now is so inefficient...This response must be run by emergency doctors, this must be run by people who deal with large numbers of people efficiently.
- Dr Tony Bongiorno
"Government has an important role and some degree of oversight but they can also give approval in extraordinary circumstances and make red tape disappear."
Dr Bongiorno said he was not trying to tell specialists, like emergency department physicians what to do. But he wanted to start a discussion so the medical community could better work together.
Under his proposal, Dr Bongiorno said there would need to be triage to identify mild, moderate and severe cases and plans for next steps according to degree of severity. He said Victoria Park would be an ideal testing site but would need City of Ballarat support.
Ultimately he wanted to avoid heightened infection risks of waiting in clinics and a greater chance for the health system to keep on top of the sickest patients and to keep mortality rates low.
GPs from across the region were set to meet on Wednesday night in a Western Victoria Primary Health Network forum about COVID-19. The forum will include Ballarat Health Services' chief medical officer Rosemary Aldrich, who is leading the BHS pandemic response.
Western Victoria PHN chief executive officer Leanne Beagley said her team had spoken with Dr Bongiorno about his submission and, while the PHN had not called for submissions nor had funding to respond to any, ideas from local experts were welcome.
"The PHN is working with the Commonwealth to progress GP-led respiratory clinics which we expect will be developed shortly. Some aspects of what Dr Bongiorno is proposing is consistent with this project and other aspects are not," Dr Beagley said.
"We are also working with the state government in their efforts to support a responsive hospital system in preparation for expected increase in demand."
Ballarat Health Services opened a fever clinic in Drummond Street on Friday. BHS also posted a nurse outside the emergency department on Mair Street to divert those with potential coronavirus-like symptoms from triage.
The fever clinic had fewer than 50 people who met the criteria for COVID-19 testing at the weekend.
People are urged to first contact the health department hotline (1800 675 398) then go to their GP and be referred to the fever clinic.
Meanwhile, Dr Beagley said GPs can access clinical advice on COVID-19 via online support tool HealthPathways.
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