Ms Sara Drew1, Ms Lisa Sinkins1
1Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, Melbourne, Australia
Community access to Victorian primary care services during COVID- 19 were significantly impacted. Primary Healthcare reduced face to face services and/or access points to ensure the health and safety of staff and community to prevent spread.
The aim of the Victorian Department of Health funded program was to develop an infection, prevention, and control (IPC) helpline accessible to primary care services, to bolster IPC integrity, reduce disease burden, improve quality of care, and avoid hospital admission. In addition, it provided set-up support and auditing processes for new GP respiratory clinics (GPRC) and ensured continuity of community access to services during the pandemic.
A phone and online consultancy staffed by experienced IPC clinicians providing support including referral to credentialed IPC subject matter experts when needed was established. A five day a week service provides best practice IPC advice, develops FAQs for stakeholders and access to webinars and other specialised resources and guidelines as identified.
The Victorian IPC helpline was established in June 2021 for an initial six months. The program has since been extended to June 30, 2023. As at June 2022 the helpline has received over 600 interactions and supported the establishment of 26 Victorian GPRC’s with IPC.
Access to the service identified COVID-19 fatigue with users requesting a direct, timely, response specific to their service without having to search for answers. The presentation will describe the establishment, collaboration, and outcomes of the Victorian IPC Helpline as a model that could be implemented nationally.
Biography: Sara Drew (RN, Grad Dip Neonatal Nursing, Dip Business, Dip Management, Immunisation Cert, Cert IV TAE, SMHFA Instructor).
Sara is an experienced Registered Nurse with extensive background in primary health care, immunisation, CDM and IPC. She’s worked in a variety of leadership, management, educator and clinical roles to support the PHC workforce joining APNA in June 2021 as the Nurse Programs Manager.
Sara’s passion is supporting and strengthening the role of PHC nurses, through workforce development, education, and raising the PHC nursing profile. With a strong interest in public health, she’s completing the Graduate Certificate in IPC through Griffith University.