COVID-19 Information and Planning

IPAR is taking a precautionary approach to managing the spread of COVID-19, which is in line with the latest national health advice.

Centralised information, planning and expertise

IPAR’s parent company, MedHealth, has a working group to ensure we are sharing information, optimising our preparation and managing any issues that may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic. This group monitors the situation daily. We are well positioned to access any additional expert advice we may need. Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Peter Steadman, has engaged the services of two leading doctors to contribute, assisting with specific disease advice and organisational health management. We are basing all our centralised advice and screening protocols on the Australian Department of Health advice and daily updates.

Our operations

As much as possible, our operations will proceed as normal. As always, in the event of any disruption or changes, we will keep you informed.

Visitors to our premises

All our premises are operating with robust screening and management protocols. Our focus is on safeguarding all visitors.

  • All appointment reminder processes whether by phone, email or text (where allowed) screen clients, customers or visitors with the questions listed below. This occurs 1-2 days before clients are to attend appointments at our premises. We also ensure that our clients know that they cannot bring more than one other person to the appointment with them. Where mask use is required, clients will be reminded that they will need to wear a mask throughout their appointment.
  • Additionally, all front-of-house team members screen clients, customers or visitors upon arrival:
      1. Have you or anyone within you household, visited any of the currently listed exposure sites nationally or travelled internationally in the past 14 days?
      2. Are you or anyone within you household currently experiencing any cold or flu symptoms?
      3. Have you or anyone within your household had a COVID-19 test in the past 7 days?
      4. Have you or anyone within your household been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
      5. Have you undergone COVID19 Vaccinations?

Please note:

  • If yes to question 1:
    • International travellers need to have completed 14 days quarantine and received a COVID negative test.
    • For anyone that has been to an identified hotspot, IPAR will review hotspot requirements and reschedule appointment as per these requirements. Please note that there are differing levels of restrictions for sites. Some sites require isolation for 14 days, some require isolation until negative results received and others do not require isolation. If isolation is not required or isolation is only required until negative tests are received (and a negative result has been received) then appointments can go ahead. If isolation is required the appointment is rescheduled.
  • If yes to question 2:
    • If a person presents with cold and flu symptoms, the appointment will be rescheduled until they are symptom free for 48 hours.
  • If yes to question 3:
    • If a person presents who has undergone a COVID19 test in the past 7 days, a negative result and/or any isolation requirements are provided/completed prior to proceeding with an appointment. If results are still pending, the appointment is rescheduled.
  • If yes to question 4:
    • If a person has had close contact with a confirmed COVID19 positive person within 14 days, the appointment is rescheduled.
  • If no to question 5:
    • If a person has not undergone both doses of COVID19 vaccination, IPAR will consider the below actions:
      • A review of services being provided as they may pose risk to the team and the client, for example, a change of locations to outdoors
      • Consider whether vaccination status may limit clients access to facilities required for services
      • Review PPE being utilised and consider increasing from face mask to face mask and face shield
      • Increase social distancing
      • Increase hand santisation and high touch area cleans of areas used
  • MedHealth has set up an advisory hotline on COVID-19, offering advice and support on each unique scenario for our people. Should a client present at our premises with any potential exposure to COVID-19, our team member calls the hotline for advice on next steps, while also immediately isolating the individual in question, ensuring mask use and supporting them to mitigate risk as they travel home to seek medical support via telephone. Under consultation with the Specialist, the appointment does not go ahead if there is any identified risk.

Mask use

  • Victoria:  Masks must be used indoors and outdoors.
  • New South Wales: As per current NSW Government requirements listed here.

Protocols if someone presents with cold or flu symptoms to our offices

  • The individual is isolated into a room and provided with tissues or a mask.
  • Transportation home is organised via taxi, with advice to not visit public places.
  • For non-team members: IPAR ensures they contact their treating practitioner of the Coronavirus information line on 1800 020 080.
  • For team members: IPAR ensures they contact the Cogent hotline – 1800 264 368.

Protocols, support and considerations for our people

If any of our team members are unwell, we ask they do not come into the office. This is for any illness, whether respiratory or not. It is an especially important principle at the moment.

We are following all Australian Department of Health guidelines on travel and self-imposed quarantine.

Additionally, MedHealth’s employer direct business Cogent Thinking has been operating a hotline within MedHealth since March 2020, to support our team in managing risk and ensuring safety.

As always, IPAR puts the health and safety of our people, customers and clients at the forefront of our thinking and actions. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.