The prevalence of COVID-19 in Melbourne has created some extremely complex circumstances for medical professionals to consider. Nevertheless, cancer treatment is a critical health service that must be maintained, even in the face of extraordinary pressures on the health system. Yarra Oncology patients can remain confident that their treatment plans will be pursued despite the disruption created by COVID-19.
Current COVID-19 Protocols
In response to COVID-19, Yarra Oncology has transitioned many of our patient appointments to phone-based appointments, or ‘telehealth’. These measures prevent the spread of the COVID-19 and reduce the risk to our patients and staff. If you have been asked to attend a telehealth consult and would prefer an in-person consult for any reason, please contact our clinic to advise our team.
Phone-based consults
If you have been asked to participate in a telehealth consult, our doctors will call you as close to your scheduled appointment time as possible. Sometimes, an unexpected health emergency may delay their call: nevertheless, our doctors will call you as soon as they are able. Please do not attend the clinic unless you are asked to by Yarra Oncology staff. Please always confirm your appointment by responding to SMS prompts with YES: this ensures we know to expect you.
Face-to-face consults
Some patients will attend Yarra Oncology in person. Our staff will advise if this requirement applies to you.
Do not attend the Yarra Oncology clinic if you or anyone accompanying you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, including a sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever or difficulty breathing. Contact the clinic to advise of the symptoms and find out what you should do next.
On arrival in the Yarra Oncology carpark, please remain in your car and call our reception team on 03 9870 0079. We will ask you a series of questions to screen you and any person accompanying for COVID-19.
When your doctor is ready, we will call you and ask you and one accompanying visitor to approach the clinic, where your temperature will be screened at the door. If you register a high temperature, we will ask you to return to your vehicle immediately.
In keeping with social distancing measures, please maintain a 1.5 metre distance from any individual within the Yarra Oncology clinic. A limit of one accompanying person only applies to all patient visits.
Payment for consults is possible via card only.