With respect to the recent spike in Victoria’s Covid-19 cases, we all need to remain vigilant. At Highett Podiatry each year we provide essential care to thousands of patients to keep them happy and healthy. Because of this, Highett Podiatry is continuing to offer care throughout the pandemic via both face to face consults and telehealth appointments, in accordance with government guidelines.
The Covid safe app has been downloaded by all our staff, and they will be keeping their phones on them at all times. We encourage all our patients to download the app and if this is not possible we ask you to notify staff, prior to your appointment, to help us keep track in the unfortunate situation, that a contact tracing may need to occur.
In clinic consultations
Highett Podiatry will remain open from Monday-Friday to provide essential hands on treatment to patients as required. A number of steps have been put in place to ensure the safety and health of our patients and staff. These include:
-
Implementing a system to ensure all our staff are healthy and report if they are displaying any signs and symptoms of being unwell before attending work
-
Requiring all staff to be up to date with Government advice and training regarding Covid-19
-
Implementing a system to assess the health of patients prior to attending the clinic and rescheduling treatment to a later date if any patients have been unwell or overseas
-
Providing hand sanitiser to patients on arrival to the clinic
-
Maintaining social distancing rules of 1.5m between all staff and patients and no more than 1 person per 4m2
-
We ask that patients do not attend the clinic with any non essential others accompanying them
-
Patients will be taken straight through to a treatment room where available to reduce the amount of time spent in the waiting room
-
Appointments have been spaced out to allow for through cleaning of treatment rooms between patients and to ensure thorough cleaning and sanitising between patients.
-
We ask that cashless payment be made where possible. If this isn’t, we would appreciate correct money.
-
Where possible we are offering reviews via telehealth consults and to reduce the risk of unnecessary face to face interaction
Home Visits Highett Podiatry continues to offer home visits to the elderly and those vulnerable members of the community who are unable to venture into the clinic.
-
All podiatrists are trained in high levels of infection control
-
If more comfortable our podiatrists are able to treat you on a patio or porch if the space is safe so that they do not have to enter your residence
-
If you would like to organise a home visit please speak to our helpful reception staff
Telehealth Consultations If you are unable to attend the clinic or would prefer to have a consultation with a podiatrist from your home.
-
These are conducted online with video and we will send a secure link so that you can safely chat with our podiatrist and receive treatment and advice
-
If the podiatrist deems it necessary for a face to face consult this will be arranged in the clinic
-
If you are unsure whether a telehealth consult will be appropriate for you our podiatrists will be more than happy to discuss this with you
-
Medicare is now offering rebates via telehealth for patients that have a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) from their GP
-
The majority of private health funds are also offering rebates on telehealth consultations. Please contact your health fund for further details.
-
Payment can be made via direct debit or over the phone with our reception staff
-
If you would like to organise a telehealth please contact our reception staff and they will be able to organise an appointment time for you.