Waikato DHB expectation of service provided by GPs for COVID patients and -ve results

Kia ora koutou

Please can you thank all of general practice on behalf on the DHB for the hard work they have been doing on the front line in these extremely challenging times. It is recognised there are many virtual COVID consultations taking place in general practice related to COVID results and assessment of unwell patients.

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Result Management

• All COVID results positive and negative are sent electronically to the GP inbox as soon as we have them. If GPs receive COVID-19 result notifications for patients who are no longer enrolled with them. Please forward the NHI number to practicesupport@haurakipho.org.nz who will follow this up.

 

• It can take up to five days from the time a swab is taken to the time that the result is known.

 

• Positive results will be followed up by the Public Health unit who will also monitor the patients’ health and welfare until they are better. If there is a health concern the patient will be asked to make contact with their GP unless acute of course in which case an admission will be arranged. If volumes escalate these patients may be asked to attend a CBAC.

 

• Negative results must be followed up by the GP. When a GP receives a negative result they must attempt  to make contact with the patient on the day the GP receives the result. This virtual consult will include telling the patient the result is negative and any clinical assessment and management that is required.

 

• Please remember that GPs and PNs can also look results up in CWS by clicking “lab enquiry”

 

• It is our intention to fund these virtual consultations.

Virtual COVID Funding

It is also recognised as above there are many other virtual COVID consultations taking place in general practice related to the assessments of unwell patients.
Waikato DHB intends to fund this virtual work through POAC from today, however we need to work with regional DHB colleagues  to ensure consistency of approach. We also need to agree the price for the virtual consultations.
Phil and Regan will be progressing this work as soon as possible after the Easter break but please can you let GPs know this is our intention as soon as possible

Kind Regards
Damian Tomic
Clinical Director Strategy, Funding and Primary Care
​Waikato DHB

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