We are asking people to continue to wear masks when visiting the practice,  and also avoiding having coughs and colds in our waiting room.  We apologise that this may be frustrating,  but we need to keep our vulnerable patients safe, and also not risk  sudden closure of the practice due to this sneaky virus!

Why masks at level 1 for now? …..

1. Avoiding Covid risk for all patients and staff while ensuring practice continuity
2. Avoiding transmission of ordinary coughs and colds, so we can keep everyone, especially medically vulnerable people safe. This is important to avoid confusion/worry about whether they may have Covid, which would impact on their care.
3. The college of GPs is still recommending this approach for safety for all.

Thank you from the team at Meadowbank!

Monday to Friday please do contact us if you are concerned about your symptoms and would like to talk to a doctor about an assessment, or any difficulty arranging a test. There are no charges for these virtual appointments for symptoms of Covid-19. We do also have some ability to arrange tests at Meadowbank General Practice.

Testing centres listed below :

Be aware that this keeps evolving …….

https://www.arphs.health.nz/public-health-topics/covid-19/where-to-get-tested

You may see information in media about Primary Care Nurses lack of pay parity with secondary care. 

We support pay parity for New Zealand’s valuable workforce of Primary Care Nurses, the chronic underfunding of primary care, and the ongoing lobbying of the government for these issues. 

Article summarising more info, if you are interested…

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/over-3000-nurses-healthcare-workers-stop-work-across-nz-end-month

To help smooth the transition back to compliance, the following documents are temporarily extended:

• WoFs and CoFs, driver licences that expired on or after 1 January 2020.
• Other vehicle certifications which expired on or after 1 January 2020, including alternative fuel inspection certificates, permits authorising use of vehicles with conditions, and heavy vehicle specialist certifications of towing connections and log bolster attachments.
• Endorsements (including drivers of small and large passenger services and dangerous good endorsements held by some truck drivers) that expired on or after 1 March 2020.
• The legislative changes also allow a temporary suspension of the requirement to have a current vehicle licence if the vehicle licence expired on or after 1 January 2020.

New expiry dates

Once we start adjusting back to business as normal, the Transport Agency, working closely with industry groups, will set expiry dates for these documents, which could extend up until 10 October 2020. We will let you know as we set these dates and will ensure you have plenty of time to get your documents compliant. Please check that we have your correct contact details – you can do this on our website.

health.govt.nz/coronavirus

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) – What you need to know
Current as at: 07/02/2020

While we are still learning more about this new virus –
We do know the risk of the virus spreading in New Zealand is very low

How worried should I be?
• Your chances of catching the Covid-19 virus in New Zealand are very low.
• It is highly unlikely you will catch the virus walking down the street
• Covid-19 appears to be as infectious as the flu and the symptoms are similar – fever, cough and shortness of breath. You are only likely to catch it if you are near to someone with the virus. Most people catch the virus from someone at home, a close workmate or someone they spend time with.
• People will not be moving around the community if they are suspected or confirmed of having the virus – they will be in isolation. Their family and anyone they may have infected will also be asked to stay at home.

How serious is coronavirus?
• People are being infected, mainly in China, but only a small number of those with coronavirus have died.
• Most people have a mild to moderate illness with flu-like symptoms
• People of all ages are being infected, but older people and those with medical conditions seem most likely to get seriously ill.

How do I protect myself and my family?
Everyone should protect themselves from the virus, as you would for the ‘flu –
• Wash your hands regularly, or use hand sanitiser. This is the best way to avoid this illness.
• As with other illnesses, do not go to work or school, or see visitors if you are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or clothing. Dispose of tissues in the bin and wash hands afterwards
• Avoid being near to people who are sick
• Washing your hands often and covering coughs and sneezes will do more to protect you from the virus than a mask.
• If you are sharing food, use utensils to serve the food and keep your personal spoon, fork, or chopsticks separate to avoid transmission through saliva.

What should I do if I think I could have Covid-19?
• If you start to experience mild symptoms, then stay at home and call the dedicated, national coronavirus line for advice: 0800 358 5453. Interpreters are available on request.
• If you start to experience more severe symptoms arrange to see a doctor urgently. Call ahead and mention your travel history. Difficulty breathing requires immediate medical attention and can be a sign of pneumonia.

Are you travelling?
Need to know updates on coronavirus?
Here is most useful link – https://safetravel.govt.nz/news/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Where can I find more information?
Information is updated regularly on the Ministry of Health website Ministry of Health website

The Ministry of Health provides updated information on its website daily at midday http://www.arphs.health.nz/public-health-topics/disease-and-illness/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

The spread of the novel coronavirus, originating in Wuhan City, China, is being closely monitored by Auckland Regional Public Health Service and the Ministry of Health.

The virus can cause acute respiratory infection ranging from mild to severe. Most of the infected people have had mild to moderate illness.

Anyone with fever or difficulty breathing, and who, in the last two weeks has been –

• to mainland China
• in close contact with someone diagnosed with the novel coronavirus,

should not present unannounced to any medical facility but call the dedicated number 0800 358 5453 (Interpreters are available).

Travelers who have been to mainland China in the last 14 days should read the Ministry of Health’s advice on self-isolation.

You can find further advice on the Ministry of Health website.

Based on interim advice from Ministry of Health

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in NZ at time of uploading 2 Feb 2020.

We will update as new information becomes available.

If you’ve travelled from China and have symptoms …..

If you have and symptoms of a fever/ cough/ shortness of breath / cold or unwell and have travelled from China in past 14 days please ring reception and we will arrange a nurse or doctor to talk to you so we can organise the most appropriate medical assistance and avoid risk of infecting others in case you have coronavirus rather than some other viral illness.

If you’ve travelled from anywhere else and have symptoms….

All patients with respiratory and recent overseas travel (in the past 14 days)  or exposure to someone else who travelled in that time- you should put on a surgical mask at the door to our waiting room (these are available by the door).

Necessary precautions if you have travelled from China (from Ministry of Health)

As of 2 February 2020, all travellers arriving in New Zealand out of mainland China, or any travellers who have had exposure to a confirmed case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) will be expected to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time they leave mainland China or were exposed to novel coronavirus.

Existing travellers already in New Zealand who arrived or transited from mainland China after 19 January should refer to previous advice. Self-isolation for people who arrived before 2 February only applies if they have been in Wuhan City or Hubei Province.

Minimum precautions to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from any acute respiratory infections.
• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing and wash hands) and stay home if unwell.
• Adhere to standard infection prevention and control practices in primary care. All patients with respiratory infection and recent overseas travel history should be provided with a surgical mask upon entry to the facility.

Close contact definition

A case is considered as potentially infectious 48 hours prior to developing symptoms, while symptomatic and until symptom-free for 24 hours.

• Living in the same household or household-like setting (e.g. in a hostel) as a 2019-nCoV case
• Having spent two hours or longer in the same room (such as a general practice or ED waiting room) as a 2019-nCoV case
• Having been seated within 2 rows either side of a 2019-nCoV case on a flight, bus or train for two hours or longer
• Having been face-to-face within one meter or less of the case for more than 15 minutes in any other setting not listed above

More information, which is updated daily, please use the link below:- 

http://www.arphs.health.nz/public-health-topics/disease-and-illness/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

Measles is still a concern:

• Babies can be vaccinated from 6 months in Auckland or if travelling to the Pacific Islands and/or Philippines.
• Adults under 50 years old travelling to the Pacific Islands and/or Philippines are recommended to have had 2 documented doses or MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) vaccine.
• Adults under 30 years old with no recorded MMR should have at least 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.
  Please check the Ministry of Health website for the latest updates:
  https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/measles/2019-measles-outbreak-information
  

Gardasil (HPV vaccine) – while your teens or Uni students are home over the holidays, ask them to come in to complete their Gardasil (HPV vaccine) course if not already completed (3 doses of the vaccine).

Zostavax (Shingles) vaccine – current funding for the 66-80 year olds runs out on 31 March 2020 – if you are in the 66-80 year age bracket and have NOT had a funded shingles vaccine, please phone for a Nurse Appointment well before the end date.

One dose of Zostavax^® is indicated for the prevention of shingles. It can be given to patients who have previously had shingles. 

Since 1 April 2018, one dose of Zostavax is funded for adults aged 65 years. A ‘catch-up’ programme is available for people aged from 66–80 years inclusively until 31 March 2020. Funded vaccine doses are only available through general practice.