Mount Isa's first fully dedicated respiratory clinic is now open for business not just for people with coronavirus but also for flus and cold.
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The clinic hosted by Mount Isa Medical Clinic on Camooweal officially opened at 1pm on Wednesday.
Dr Michael Mbaogu, GP at the Mount Isa Medical Clinic said the respiratory clinic was paid for by the federal government as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was available free of charge.
"We are very excited by this," Dr Mbaogu said.
"We have our first respiratory clinic in Mount Isa, commissioned by the Commonwealth Government, and it is for any patient who is experiencing respiratory symptoms."
Dr Mbaogu said any patient in Mount Isa with a fever, sore throat, runny nose or a cough should present at the clinic.
"Don't go to your usual GP and mingle with all the patients in the waiting room, come to this dedicated clinic," he said.
"Here they will be seen by a nurse and a doctor and where relevant they will be tested for viral infections and also for COVID-19."
To get into the new clinic patients can either ring the Medical Centre on 07 4743 3033 or go online at hotdoc.com.au
"When they arrive they will not come to the general area," Dr Mbaogu said.
"It is well signposted once you come to the premises, you go to a separate (outdoor) reception area where they will be met by a receptionist and their journey begins there into the clinic."
Dr Mbaogu said it didn't matter how old people were.
"Whether they are from the cradle to 100 years old, the clinic will deal with them," he said.
"The nurse will assess the patient, do all the necessary checks and the doctor will examine the patient and where necessary take a swab and also prescribe treatment."
Dr Mbaogu said the uptake of this year's flu vaccine has been exceptional and there was a shortfall of supply but they still had a lot of vaccine available for over 65s.
"Anyone who is diabetic or has a chronic medical condition, we have a vaccine for them," he said.
The clinic has also been guaranteed personal protective equipment by the Federal Government and there is no end date.
The free clinic is available Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.
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