Victorians are being encouraged to visit their GPs and keep in touch with their healthcare practitioners during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Data is showing reduced visits to GPs and other health service providers, such as pathology, mental health and allied health as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) social distancing and lockdown regulations. GPs, peak organisations and other health industry experts are concerned that rates of preventable diseases may potentially increase due to the lack of primary care intervention, for example cancer screening, blood tests for people with diabetes, and immunisation.
The ‘It’s OK to see your GP’ digital campaign aims to reassure people that it is okay to see your GP, that measures are being put in place to ensure safety, and that delaying important medical care now may end up being a bigger problem down the track.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) started a new campaign to encourage people in their region to visit their GPs and keep in touch with health care practitioners during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“GP services are still available, and many steps are being taken to make sure people can receive the high-quality care they need during this crisis,” North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Christopher Carter said. “This includes telehealth and other options to help you keep patients safe while also keeping them in touch with their healthcare provider.”
As well as talking directly to the community through local newspaper advertising and social media marketing, NWMPHN is also providing GPs and other healthcare providers with resources they can use to share and support the campaign.
We encourage you to share and promote this campaign to your networks. You can find out more about the campaign and access resources on the NWMPHN website.