Update

Level 1 again!

Today marks the day that all of NZ is now at Level 1

Please note that - for operational efficiency - Monday 12th October 2020 Apollo Medical will return to Level 1.

Our clinical team – doctors and nurses – will continue to wear blue scrubs.  This is to clearly show who in our practice are consulting with both well and sick people.  Our administrative staff will be in normal uniform or clothes.

Is this overly cautious?  Yes it probably is, but NZ is only 12 days into no community COVID spread, and maintaining this state is only as good as NZ's border control.  Wearing scrubs also enables the clinical team to minimize unnecessary additional PPE that is costly and both an economic and environmental burden to our country.  Apollo Medical will continue to evaluate the necessity of this decision, but please be considerate of this decision through this transition time.

ManageMyHealth (the practice portal) is fully open to online bookings with your registered General Practitioner.

Apollo continues to:

- Keep some appointments each day for short ‘telehealth' consultations– please be aware these consults are SHORTER (10 MINUTES) AND CHEAPER and are ideal for follow up appointments that do not require further physical examination, or for those quick consultations for single issues.  You can also book a standard length consultations (15 minutes), or double consultations (30 minutes) – and still have this via telehealth, you just need to ensure on booking these appointments you make this clear for your doctor via reception or through the online portal.

- Apollo supports NZ's effort to maintain contact tracing and encourage you all to use our QR code on arrival and hand hygiene with automated hand sanitiser dispensers at all entrances to the centre. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WITH HYGIENE – hands, cough etiquette etc.

- Apollo is maintaining safe distancing in reception areas

- Apollo retains masks for symptomatic patients, and we insist that you wear these masks in if you have a cough or other respiratory symptoms, so please follow instructions of the team.

- Apollo will continue to ‘stream' patients with potentially infectious/respiratory symptoms to an allocated area within the centre to be reviewed. THIS AREA IS CALLED THE AMBER ZONE.   THE DOCTOR WHO YOU HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH WILL COME TO THIS AREA TO MEET YOU.  

- PLEASE be honest with the screening questions our receptionists will be asking you, so that we can continue to keep everyone as SAFE as possible!

- Electronic laboratory orders, and electronic sending of prescriptions to your preferred pharmacy will continue.  This means less paper – and more importantly the patient does not need to come in to pick up forms/prescriptions – no traffic or parking hassles again!

Apollo Medical has an amazing team, and amazing patients.  Again I thank you all for your support and consideration in a year that continues to throw challenges in our way.

Kia kaha

 

Dr Lynne Coleman

Medical Director

 

31 August 2020

RED AND GREEN ZONE (Managing the risk of COVID-19)   Korean version / Chinese version

Apollo Medical is now split into two areas the Red Zone and the Green Zone. Patients who have respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of smell, and/or fever will be seen in the Red Zone. All other patients will be seen in the Green Zone. We have separated the medical centre into these two zones, so that we can provide everybody with safe care. When making an appointment online or through reception you will be screened for respiratory symptoms. Please answer these questions honestly so that we can see you in the right place.

In the Green Zone, doctors and nurses will be consulting from their own rooms, they will be dressed in scrubs, and if required, will be wearing masks. When you arrive for your appointment in the Green Zone, check in at main reception. Remember to wear your mask. The receptionist will ask you screening questions again. If you or your family have respiratory symptoms, you will asked to return to your car, and the doctor or nurse who you have the appointment with will telephone you.

Patients who have respiratory symptoms will be seen by their doctor or nurse for their scheduled appointment in the Red Zone. The Red Zone is in the area behind the main reception. The doctors and nurses will wear PPE when seeing patients in the Red Zone. Patients will also wear masks.

When booking appointments through ManageMyHealth, you will be asked a series of questions to screen for COVID symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, you will be advised to call the medical centre to book your appointment (Ph. 09 477 3700). The receptionist will book your appointment in the Red Zone. You will then receive a text confirming the booking. This text will include a phone number for you to call when you arrive for your appointment.

When you arrive for your appointment in the Red Zone, please drive around the side of the building and park close to the orange door. Call the number in the text message to inform the Red Zone staff of your arrival, you will be advised when to come into the Red Zone for your appointment. Please wear your mask.

This system of Red and Green Zones is designed to keep our patients and our staffs safe from the virus. Please help us to help you, by telling us if you have respiratory symptoms. Remember we will see you and we will care for you.


Kind regards

Mary Baldwin
CEO

 

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