RNZCGP covid alert

Today Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the removal of the traffic light system from midnight tonight.

This means: • • •

People are no longer required by Government to wear a mask anywhere expect in healthcare and aged care settings.

Only COVID-19 positive individuals are required to isolate for seven days; household contacts no longer need to.

All Government vaccine mandates are to end in two weeks on Monday 26 September.

Today's announcements come into effect from midnight tonight unless otherwise stated.

Patient safety needs to be our top priority, especially as we know COVID-19 and other winter illnesses are still circulating in the community. The part that we as specialist general practitioners and rural hospital doctors have played in New Zealand's COVID-19 response to the virus shone a bright light on just how crucial we are as frontline health professionals when it comes to keeping communities safe.

It has to be acknowledged that we have provided the highest level of care to patients while taking every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our practices.

Guidance around the COVID-19 changes The below list outlines eight key principles that need to be considered in our response to respiratory illness from here. We need to acknowledge there are approximately 1000 general practices throughout New Zealand and every practice will need to take an individual approach to these issues dependant on need and assessment of risk.

To date Māori and Pasifika have experienced higher mortality and rates of hospitalisation with COVID-19, and from a younger age. It is important that we remain mindful of the fact that easing of restrictions will continue to impact populations differently. Māori and Pasifika populations, elderly, and those with co-morbidities will continue to experience worse outcomes. So our responses and management need to be mindful of this.

Principles for practices These are the minimum measures that should still be considered within your practices as we still have a responsibility to limit the spread of, and treat respiratory illnesses: 1. General practice has a key role to play in limiting the spread of and treating respiratory illness.

2. Infection control should be under regular review within practices.

3. For the safety of those working in the practice, and other patients, the College recommends continued screening at front desk for respiratory symptoms.

4. Where possible or practical some sort of separation needs to be in place within GP waiting rooms, separating those with respiratory symptoms.

5. Ventilation and aeration of consult and waiting rooms is important and there should be consideration given to the ongoing use of HEPA filters (opens to PDF).

6. Regular cleaning of waiting rooms and consult rooms should be in place.

7. Encourage ongoing COVID testing with patients, so that they can take steps to reduce chance of spread in households and communities and so that individuals can access appropriate support packages and funded access to medical care if it is required.

8. Reduce individuals risks by proactively discussing /offering COVID vaccination and boosters, particularly with under vaccinated, eligible individuals who are at increased risk. Ensure Māori and Pasifika and other at-risk populations have ready and safe access to appropriate antivirals against COVID-19. (Also see: Pharmac simplifies criteria for COVID-19 antiviral treatments) Longer term there will be implications for the design of general practice.

College resources We'll be updating the College's COVID-19 website over the next couple of weeks, which will include another iteration of the risk matrix.

We also have mental health support for staff. In the meantime, keep emailing questions to covid19@rnzcgp.org.nz We would like to say thank you again for your commitment to your vocation and to the communities that you serve. The endless adaptations to how we work added another layer of complexity to our already heavy workloads, but it has without a doubt played a part in reducing the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.

Thank you to the College's Pou Whirinaki Dr Maia Melbourne-Wilcox for contributing equity-focused content to this message.

Kia kaha.