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- Page navigation anchor for Pandemic preparedness: principles and ethicsPandemic preparedness: principles and ethicsThe lessons learned from the primary care response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the five principles that Michael Kidd outlines provide a useful framework for the continuing response to the pandemic and for inevitable future pandemics.These principles are consistent with the RCGP`s ethical guidance for primary care during COVID-19, https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=10557, which aims to support colleagues in responding to the uncertainty, competing demands and considerable pressures of the pandemic. The guidance was written by a team of GPs, ethicists, and patients and took the format of frequently asked questions (FAQs), sourced from frontline clinicians, practice teams and patient representatives. These were supported with explanatory videos (VLOGS). The ethical framework was based on the government's ethical principles for pandemic flu and was cognisant of other guidance to avoid duplication and contradiction.1Topics covered the principles outlined by Michael Kidd including treatment decisions on COVID and non-COVID related conditions, personal and professional tensions whilst working during the pandemic, end-of-life care provision, personal professional equipment and health inequalities (h...Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.
- Page navigation anchor for Five principles for pandemic preparedness: lessons from the Australian COVID-19 primary care responseFive principles for pandemic preparedness: lessons from the Australian COVID-19 primary care response
Since late March 2020, Australia has established 141 GP-led respiratory clinics with more than half situated in rural areas and 16 based in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.1
With the clear remit to augment the response of primary care by providing a pathway for the in-person assessment of acute respiratory illness, the respiratory clinics have broadly been successful in managing the escalating demand for respiratory assessment in a safe manner for health practitioners and the community. Furthermore, in our community we have benefitted from good engagement with local general practices and take responsibility for closing the loop with updates to a patient’s regular GP.
Our respiratory clinic has been assessing all patients with respiratory symptoms, this provides not only an opportunity to test for COVID-19 but, critically, to delivery care for other respiratory conditions including asthma, pneumonias and exacerbations of COPD. This focus has allowed us to rapidly become skilled in primary care management of respiratory conditions and symptoms. This opportunity to provide comprehensive care has been particularly important for people with underlying respiratory illness at a time when symptom investigation and management was challenging. The model of reimbursement is independent of time spent with each patient, allowing for greater depth of investigation and more support when required. The non-time-based funding model for respir...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: The authors are both employed by a respiratory clinic funded by the Australian Department of Health. The authors acknowledge the significant support of the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network in our clinic’s development.