A NEW, free General Practice Respiratory Clinic, GPRC, has opened in Mill Park, helping to reduce demand on hospitals and general practitioner networks by offering immediate support to people with respiratory illnesses.
Run by DPV Health and the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, EMPHN, the clinics aim to provide accessible and professional support to people struggling with respiratory illnesses and COVID-19-like symptoms to help free up GPs and hospitals.
The clinics are operated and staffed by specialised and qualified clinicians and can provide immediate support before referring patients back to their usual doctor for ongoing care or provide assistance in identifying a GP if they do not already have one.
EMPHN chief executive Janine Wilson said the clinics would provide accessible and essential assistance.
“This is a great community-level pathway for making sure patients are seen promptly and professionally, while keeping the rest of the primary care system moving freely,” she said.
GPRC services are accessible at no cost to patients, and no Medicare card is required. Some patients will be referred to the clinics by GPs and hospitals, however patients can contact them directly with no appointment necessary.
The clinics can provide access to testing and respiratory assessment for illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza and thunderstorm asthma.
Funded by the State Government, the GPRC network has also extended to other areas including Broadmeadows and Monash.
