Coronavirus / COVID‑19

Many of our patients are potentially vulnerable to the severe consequences of Coronavirus infection. Unfortunately the nature of our work means that we are unable to assess and treat most of our patients without seeing them in person.

In order to protect our patients and staff from possible Coronavirus infection Derwent Eye Specialists is following current advice from State and Federal authorities and professional medical bodies. The sections below explain the additional precautions we are taking, and we are grateful for your understanding and co-operation during these extraordinary times.

If you have any questions or concerns please call our team contact us.

Before Your Appointment

Please call us on 1300 337 968 before coming to your appointment if:

1. You have travelled interstate or abroad anywhere in the world in the last two weeks; or
2. You may have been in contact with someone infected with coronavirus; or
3. You are unwell, especially with fever, flu, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.

If you are at risk of coronavirus infection your doctor will assess the urgency of your appointment:

• If your appointment is not urgent we will re-arrange it for a later date.
• Urgent appointments will go ahead but we may request that you arrive at a different time, and we will use additional precautions to prevent the spread of the infection.

You should also follow the advice at the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services website and Federal Department of Health website or call the 24/7 Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 671 738.

At Your Appointment

On arrival at the practice please press the doorbell and wait to be admitted. A team member will meet you at the door. You will be asked a series of screening questions and have your temperature taken with a non-contact infrared thermometer.

If the screening results show that you are at risk of infection with Coronavirus or that you may be unwell for another reason your doctor will assess the urgency of your visit:

• If your appointment can be deferred without significant risk we will re-schedule the appointment.
• If your eye condition requires urgent assessment or treatment we will take additional infection control precautions to allow your appointment to go ahead.

During your appointment we ask that you practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette. Alcohol hand rub is available at the practice entrance and reception desk.

We have removed many of the chairs from the waiting areas to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres between people, and as usual we will ensure your appointment proceeds smoothly with as little waiting time as possible.

Visitors and Companions

We are limiting non-essential visits to the practice. Where possible patients should not be accompanied into the practice, unless their companion or carer is required for safe mobility or communication. We have removed many of the chairs from the waiting areas to meet the social distancing recommendations.

We ask that all visitors practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette. Alcohol hand rub is available at the reception desk and front entrance.

Our reception team will be happy to assist with phoning your companion at the end of your appointment.

The 10 COVID-ments

Thank you to one of our lovely patients for sharing a little humour: