The rumours are true - after a midnight backflip from DHHS on Thursday morning, you no longer need a GP referral to see your Osteopath.
BUT! (and it's a big but) "routine and non-urgent treatment is not permitted".
What we CAN do is provide essential, urgent services that "prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence necessitating escalation of care"; eg avoiding hospital admission, emergency department presentation, the requirement for specialist input/review or an increase in care needs.
All patients seeking face-to-face consultations will be screened according to these criteria prior to an appointment being made. Please keep in mind the following: ✅ There is no restriction on Telehealth consultations. Please see https://www.lilydaleosteopathy.com.au/telehealth ✅ You can travel more than 5km for medical care ❌ New patients outside of 5km cannot be seen (unless we are your closest clinic). The clinic will remain closed until Monday while we implement changes to the appointment book, booking systems and establish screening procedures.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We as a clinic, and as a profession more broadly, support the core messages of why the lockdown has occurred and understand the aims of reducing movement and face-to-face contact as much as possible.