As it is no longer mandated by NSW Health that face masks must be worn for patients and doctors for consultations in private practice we have decided to cease advising patients and their husbands/ partners that’s face masks must be worn for consultations.
I have for a long time been sceptical about the benefit of facemasks that most people wear in preventing Covid spread. In support of my view a recent Cochrane study of 12 trials comparing medical/surgical masks versus no masks to prevent the spread of viral respiratory illness (two trials with healthcare workers and 10 in the community) reported: “Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of influenza‐like illness/COVID‐19 like illness compared to not wearing masks” (1).
If you wish to continue wearing a facemask we have no objections.
Siblings and another family member can now accompany you.
As well we have decided that siblings can now attend and ONE other family member per consultation can attend.
We have restored toys and books to the children’s play area in the waiting room.
Rebook if unwell.
But if you have Covid or any Covid or cold/flu symptoms (including fever (37.5C or higher), cough, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath (except due to pregnancy), runny nose, loss of smell or loss of taste) or are unwell with any other contagious infection you must reschedule your appointments to when you are well.
Your husband/partner, children or other family members cannot attend with you if they have Covid or any Covid or cold/flu symptoms or are unwell with any other contagious infection.
(1) https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub6/full
