Health Alert

CHANGES TO COVID FUNDING FROM 1st JULY 2024

Covid funding has changed from 1st July 2024 and is no longer funded.

In General Practice we have previously been able to provide free appointments for eligible patients with Covid.

From 1st July, all appointments and prescriptions (antivirals) for Covid care will now be charged at our normal rate. Please follow this link to have a look at our fees. https://www.taupohealth.co.nz/faq/

The nationwide Covid Healthline number is being removed, people should instead call the general Healthline number: 0800 611 116. This number is free and available 24/7.

Covid antivirals continue to be available for eligible patients. These can be prescribed here by a GP via a telephone appointment ($19.50) or from Unichem pharmacies. Taupō Unichem Pharmacies can provide medications without a GP prescription. These websites have information on eligibility for Covid-19 antivirals. https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/covid-19/antiviral-medicines/

While we are not a RAT collection site, free RATS are still available in NZ until the end of September 2024. Your nearest collection site is Mainstreet Pharmacy on 51 Tongariro Street.

Covid vaccinations continue to be free. Aside from us, find your other local vaccinator provider here: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/lakes/?covidTesting=im%3A1295965

Up to date information on eligibility and timing of Covid vaccines is available here: https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/covid-19-vaccines/getting-covid-19-vaccines/

COVID-19 Update:

• We still encourage you to wear a facemask when you come to the surgery.
• If you have an urgent problem or are unwell, please phone us.
• Appointments for phone consults remain in place.
• If you have any cold like symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, fatigue) please wear a mask when you come to the surgery. You will be seen in the carpark area. If you are unwell, please call us. In a health emergency call 111.
• We have minimised the need for you to come into the surgery, and you can now get any form you need emailed to you, or sent directly to the lab or radiology department. All prescriptions will be directly sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
• Please like our facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/taupohealth
• If anyone is struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or has mental health concerns, you can book a phone consult with one of our great Health Improvement Practitioners ‘HIPs’, or call or text 1737 anytime, for support from a trained counsellor.

Need a same day/urgent appointment? If you don’t already have an appointment, and think you need to be seen, please call and we will add your name to our GP call back list for a phone call back that day. For any health emergencies please call 111.

Immunisations? Please call us to make an appointment.

Symptoms of COVID-19? Please call us to discuss, and don’t come in without phoning first.

For Covid-19 health advice call 0800 611 116 anytime

If you need urgent medical help, call 111 and tell them you have Covid-19.

Thank you everyone for your support and understanding while we continue to keep our community safe.

Kia kaha.

What to expect:

When you have a positive test, please report the result of your test on your MyCovid Record. Call 0800 222 478 if you are unable to report it on the app, choose option 3 to register your test result. You will also be sent a notification by the Ministry of Health via text message. The text message will include an online link to complete a self-assessment, this includes your health, welfare needed and contact tracing. You will need to enter the access code they send you to access the site. If you do not fill in the form within 24 hours you will be contacted.

You are no longer required to self-isolate. However, we recommend you isolate for 5 days, even if you only have mild symptoms. Take a RAT if you, or someone in your household develops symptoms.

Isolation Rules:

1. Day 0 is the day your swab is taken or the day you started having symptoms; Day 1 is the next day. Upload your positive test result to your MyCovid Record Page (see above).
2. Stay home for 5 days and do not leave the house or have visitors
3. Discharge from isolation is at 11.59pm on Day 5 if you have had no symptoms in the previous 72 hours
4. Household members are no longer required to self-isolate with you
5. If a household contact tests positive, they start a new 5-day isolation period
6. If you become unwell, please contact us on 07 378 7060 during work hours, the duty doctor after hours, and 111 if it is an emergency.

Main Symptoms:

1. Clear runny nose
2. Itchy throat
3. Cough
4. Headaches
5. Tiredness
6. Loss of appetite
7. Fevers

If you have any of these symptoms, monitor and talk to your nurse if concerned.

Any shortness of breath while resting or talking must be discussed with a nurse as soon as possible. If you are unable to catch your breath or talk then please ring 111 and get an ambulance.

Follow the below links for advice on how to self-manage during a COVID-19 infection.

https://covid19.health.nz/advice/i-have-covid-19

COVID-19 Patient Booklet

COVID-19 Care at home – Health Navigator NZ Adult

COVID-19 Caring for your child at home – Health Navigator NZ Children

COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing – Health Navigator NZ

Information on how to test yourself with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT):

Video on how to test yourself with a RAT test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-BF0y7WNUk