To obtain medical care was one of the four reasons people were allowed to leave home during COVID-19 lockdown. As in much of our life, procedures are often conducted differently compared with life prior to COVID-19.
Visiting the GP
We booked to visit our doctor in order to have the annual flu injections and to obtain prescription renewals.
When we arrived at the clinic the carpark was almost empty. The normal entrance to the clinic was closed and there were directions to another entrance to the building where we were greeted by a woman wearing protective gear including a mask. She took our temperature before we were allowed to enter the building. Our appointment was late in the morning so we had the waiting room to ourselves. The staff at the desk worked behind screens and there were marks on the floor where we were required to stand when we gave our names and said who we wanted to see.
When we entered the doctor's surgery it was hard to recognise the man, who has been our doctor for 38 years, due to all the protective clothing he was sensibly wearing. He gave us our injections and my new script and as we were leaving we asked him how he was finding these challenging times. Not surprisingly 'Challenging' was the response. We then returned to our car via the designated exit.
Visiting the Pharmacy
We always take our prescriptions for medication to a small local pharmacy. The entrance and exit to the shop is marked and at the desk there are marks indicating where where to stand while waiting. The staff wear masks.
There is a large pharmacy at Knox City where we occasionally purchase non-perscription items. Although we do not go there often we observe what is happening as it is opposite the supermarket.
At one stage customers were met at the door by a staff member wearing protective clothing who took the customers' temperature before they could enter the store. This practice only lasted for a week or so and now a staff member stands at the door squirting hand sanitiser onto people's hands. Inside the store there are screens and marks on floor indicating where cutomers should stand if they want to see a pharmacist or are waiting for a prescription to be filled. There are also screens and floor markings at the check-out counter.
Visiting the Pathologist
I am meant to have blood tests every two months. A blood test was due shortly after the lockdown commenced and I was reluctant to go to a pathologist at that time so I missed having the test. However I had to have a test at the beginning of May as I had a specialist appointment.
Fortunately the day that I had the blood test the weather was very cold and few people were out. I also knew that there were usually not many people in the waiting room around lunchtime which was when I went. I was the only one there so the plan worked - this time.
Having the actual blood test was no different from other blood tests I have had with staff not seeming to take any extra precautions.
Visiting the Specialist
Several days before my visit I received a phone call reminding me of the appointment and requesting that when I arrived at the medical centre I was to phone a number to let them know I had arrived. When we made the call I was told that the receptionist would ring me when the doctor was ready to see me. Eventually I was allowed inside the medical centre, but first I had to complete a full page form stating that I was not experiencing a list of symptoms and confirming that I had not recently been overseas. I was then allowed to see the doctor who was waiting for me. The rest of the visit was the same as normal.
Other Doctor's Appoinments
Some doctors have been conducting medical appointments via telephone or via computer.
COVID-19 Testing Station
Specific Mobile COVID-19 Testing Stations have been set up in different parts of the state, quite often at shopping centres. Currently there is a testing station at Knox City.
Getting Tested for COVID-19.
The Victorian Government recommends that anyone with specific symptons should be tested. Testing is currently only available to people with the following
symptoms, however mild: fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat,
shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell
The mobile testing stations are drive through sites with tests carried out in people's cars. A swab is taken from the back of the throat and the nose. After a test the person is expected to return home and self isolate until they results are known.
Last month there was a mobile testing site at Knox City for two weeks. When we were leaving the centre one day there was a long queue of cars trailing through the back carpark and then up to the area in another carpark where the tests were taking place. The testing station has recently returned and this time it is in a covered carpark. We had not noticed any protracted queues like the last month until today when there was a long row of cars leading to the carpark. Perhaps there has been publicity that the testing station has returned. This time the testing center has remained at Knox City and each day there are long queues of cars in the back car park waiting to enter the testing centre.
In November the testing station moved down Stud Road to the Swinburne campus. At the beginning of the 2021 academic year the testing station once again moved, this time to the Trash and Treasure market site in Mountain Highway, Wantirna.
