Attending sessions during COVID-19
The Australian Government is taking the Mental Health of Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic extremely seriously. We're thrilled that the Mental Health Stimulus Package announced 30 March, 2020 provides support for First Australians, those living in Domestic Violence situations, and the Mental Health of all Australians. As such, you will be able to access the following support:
Treatment at MGPsych is currently face to face for those who wish to attend in person, or via Telehealth for those unable to do so or concerned about COVID-19. To ensure we continue to provide a safe space for all we ask clients to engage in COVID-safe practice including wearing a mask in the waiting room, practicing good hand hygiene and social distancing, and not attending sessions in person if showing any signs or symptoms of illness. We will inform clients of any changes, should pandemic conditions impact our capacity to provide in person treatment safely for all.
- All Australian Private Health funds are supporting treatment via Telehealth;
- Medicare will provide rebates as usual to all with a valid referral;
- The number of sessions eligible for rebate under a Mental Health Care Plan referral has been extended from 10 per calendar year to 20 per calendar year until December, 2022 to support the Mental Health of all Australians during the pandemic.
- Support for Telehealth has been extended indefinitely at this stage.
Treatment at MGPsych is currently face to face for those who wish to attend in person, or via Telehealth for those unable to do so or concerned about COVID-19. To ensure we continue to provide a safe space for all we ask clients to engage in COVID-safe practice including wearing a mask in the waiting room, practicing good hand hygiene and social distancing, and not attending sessions in person if showing any signs or symptoms of illness. We will inform clients of any changes, should pandemic conditions impact our capacity to provide in person treatment safely for all.
MGPsych Coronavirus Practice Policy
We are aware there is increased uncertainty and unease related to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). While things are changeable, we are assured that it is currently safe to continue to provide treatment as usual, and for clients who are not impacted by Coronavirus to continue to attend sessions. However, the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients and team is our highest priority, so we’d like to invite all clients of the practice to support us in our efforts to ensure the risk to all in the MGPsych community is minimised by adhering to the information below, which describes some changes to the practice, required, in order to continue to work face-to-face during the pandemic.
Social Distancing:
Unfortunately, face to face work continues to be limited to individual therapy. Due to the 4m2 rule, there is a limit to the number of people who can be in the room at any one time. Families will therefore continue to be seen via Telehealth. However, please feel free to discuss this with your therapist, so we are best able to accommodate particular client needs, such as the need for weigh ins, as an example.
New waiting room protocol:
Offering flexibility:
We are aware that the therapy room is small, with no capacity to open windows. As a result, we will do our best to continue to provide flexible treatment options for larger groups or those feeling uncomfortable in the setting. That means Telehealth services will remain in place for those who might feel uncomfortable about the use of public transport, or otherwise hesitant about in-person attendance. Please note that government support for Medicare sessions via Telehealth has been extended indefinitely. Please discuss whether you plan to attend in person or not with your clinician.
Cleaning policy:
In line with government requirements, we will continue to wipe down furniture between sessions and to disinfect frequently touched surfaces at the beginning and end of each day, as well as between sessions. We will ensure there is hand sanitiser for your use in sessions and encourage you to continue to make use of the hand sanitiser provided on each floor of the building, outside the lifts. Please continue to practice good hand and general hygiene if attending sessions.
Disclosure:
Clients are hereby informed that the choice of returning to in person therapy or continuing to work via Telehealth remains in your hands. However, in electing to attend in person, it is important you are informed there is an increased risk of contamination. In addition and line with government health requirements, client confidentiality may need to be broken in the event of a positive testing, through provision of details to relevant authorities in the interest of public safety. We will also discuss your vaccination status in providing a safe environment for all. Please raise this with your clinician if you have any concerns about this.
What to do if you’re unwell:
We continue to encourage our entire community to respect the NSW Health Guidelines on COVID-19, and to help us in continue to work to keep our community safe. If you’ve experienced any flu-like symptoms, including but not limited to:
*Fever
*Cough
*Sore Throat
*Chest pain or difficulty breathing
… we continue to request that you do not attend your session in person, but contact us with at least 24 hours notice, both to avoid a cancellation fee, and to ensure we can put alternate plans in place. This might include postponing sessions until you are well, or attending via Telehealth if you feel able. If your clinician becomes unwell, we will likewise contact you to put alternate plans in place.
*For your own safety and that of others, please do not attend if you have had any contact with anyone who is unwell, or has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, or if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms*
Health management guidelines
The Australian Department of Health recommends practising good hand, sneeze, and cough hygiene as the best defense against most viruses. This includes:
Where you can find more information
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the information above, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].
With thanks for your support of our practice and community,
The MGPsych Team.
Social Distancing:
Unfortunately, face to face work continues to be limited to individual therapy. Due to the 4m2 rule, there is a limit to the number of people who can be in the room at any one time. Families will therefore continue to be seen via Telehealth. However, please feel free to discuss this with your therapist, so we are best able to accommodate particular client needs, such as the need for weigh ins, as an example.
New waiting room protocol:
- We encourage clients to arrive as close to on time for sessions as possible, so that you are able to enter the therapy room directly, minimising any crowding in the waiting room. However, please note that due to social distancing requirements, the lifts are only allowed to transport limited numbers. Please factor this in to your arrival and departure times, as travel to and from the suite is likely to be slower.
- In line with NSW Health stipulations, clients are not able to eat in the waiting room. While the water cooler will remain, we encourage clients to bring their own water, to minimise surface contact.
- Magazines in the waiting room will be removed to minimise the risk of contact.
- Please dispose of tissues or other waste yourself to ensure reduced risk of contact.
- Clients are required to wear masks in the waiting room.
- While government mandates remain in place, clients will be required to check in via QR code.
Offering flexibility:
We are aware that the therapy room is small, with no capacity to open windows. As a result, we will do our best to continue to provide flexible treatment options for larger groups or those feeling uncomfortable in the setting. That means Telehealth services will remain in place for those who might feel uncomfortable about the use of public transport, or otherwise hesitant about in-person attendance. Please note that government support for Medicare sessions via Telehealth has been extended indefinitely. Please discuss whether you plan to attend in person or not with your clinician.
Cleaning policy:
In line with government requirements, we will continue to wipe down furniture between sessions and to disinfect frequently touched surfaces at the beginning and end of each day, as well as between sessions. We will ensure there is hand sanitiser for your use in sessions and encourage you to continue to make use of the hand sanitiser provided on each floor of the building, outside the lifts. Please continue to practice good hand and general hygiene if attending sessions.
Disclosure:
Clients are hereby informed that the choice of returning to in person therapy or continuing to work via Telehealth remains in your hands. However, in electing to attend in person, it is important you are informed there is an increased risk of contamination. In addition and line with government health requirements, client confidentiality may need to be broken in the event of a positive testing, through provision of details to relevant authorities in the interest of public safety. We will also discuss your vaccination status in providing a safe environment for all. Please raise this with your clinician if you have any concerns about this.
What to do if you’re unwell:
We continue to encourage our entire community to respect the NSW Health Guidelines on COVID-19, and to help us in continue to work to keep our community safe. If you’ve experienced any flu-like symptoms, including but not limited to:
*Fever
*Cough
*Sore Throat
*Chest pain or difficulty breathing
… we continue to request that you do not attend your session in person, but contact us with at least 24 hours notice, both to avoid a cancellation fee, and to ensure we can put alternate plans in place. This might include postponing sessions until you are well, or attending via Telehealth if you feel able. If your clinician becomes unwell, we will likewise contact you to put alternate plans in place.
*For your own safety and that of others, please do not attend if you have had any contact with anyone who is unwell, or has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, or if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms*
Health management guidelines
The Australian Department of Health recommends practising good hand, sneeze, and cough hygiene as the best defense against most viruses. This includes:
- washing your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet;
- covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser;
- and if unwell, exercise healthy social distancing by avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 meters from people.
Where you can find more information
- For the latest health and travel advice issued by the World Health Organization website.
- For the latest information about the coronavirus in Australia visit the Australian Government’s Department of Health
- The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website also provides advice to Australians considering overseas travel or who have returned from travel feeling unwell
- If you have questions about the coronavirus you can contact your state public health agency or the national virus hotline:
- Coronavirus Health Information Line: 1800 020 080
- New South Wales: 1300 066 055
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the information above, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].
With thanks for your support of our practice and community,
The MGPsych Team.
