Many rural practices have been highly innovative in ensuring the safety of patients and staff and adapting to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This page shares examples, knowledge and preparations between rural practices and health professionals throughout Western Australia.
Immunisation clinics
St Luke's Family Practice, Katanning
Staff at St Luke's Family Practice in Katanning prepare for their alfresco immunisation clinic as a way to observe social distancing. The face masks were provided courtesy of their local hardware. This clinic was well received by the community and turned out to be the busiest flu clinic they have ever held.
Plantagenet Medical Group, Mount Barker
The Plantagenet Medical Group is providing drive-through flu clinics with their first clinic held at Sounness Park in Mount Barker. They also plan to provide the drive-through clinics in Frankland and Cranbrook.
Pictured: Nurse Cath Lanigan and Dr Sarath Moosani at Sounness Park, Mount Barker. Judging by the queue, this clinic was well attended.
Personal Protective Equipment
Thinking outside the box proved successful
When Panaceum Group couldn't find face shields at the beginning of the pandemic, they contacted Geraldton Grammar because they knew they had a 3D printer and thought they might be able to help. The school trialled making the headbands on their 3D printer, but it proved to be inefficient and costly so they decided to laser cut them and achieved a good cost-effective outcome.
