To all our valued clients, we just wanted to reassure you that we will be monitoring safe practice with regard to COVID-19 over the next few weeks and months as required.  We join with others, seeking to take practical measures for prevention of spread of the virus in our community, and to seek to calm our anxieties in the midst of the uncertainty and changing news each day.

The health of all our clients and staff at Zest Infusion is our top priority  

We are pleased to announce that Medicare has introduced new MBS items for online videoconference consultation services to ensure that you continue to receive valued ongoing psychological care at Zest Infusion. Please contact our reception on Ph 3822 9983 prior to your appointment if you meet criteria as a vulnerable person as per the guidelines below:

Vulnerable/isolated patients are those where at least one of the following apply: 
(a) the person has been diagnosed with COVID-19 virus but who is not a patient of a hospital; or
(b) the person has been required to isolate themselves in quarantine in accordance with home isolation guidance issued by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC); or
(c) the person is considered more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus being a person who is:

• at least 70 years old; or
• at least 50 years old and is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
• is pregnant; or
• is a parent of a child under 12 months; or
• is already under treatment for chronic health conditions or is immune compromised; or

(d) the person meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection.

At this time, the advice from the Australian Government is that:

If you have ANY of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Malaise

AND

• Travelled to (including transit through) mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand in the last 14 days before getting sick. (Please check the following for ongoing updates:https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert.)

OR

• Had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having Coronavirus in the last 14 days before getting sick, please let us know prior to your appointment so an alternative appointment (i.e. online appointments) can be organised instead.

Practical measures at Zest Infusion

We are asking for clients and staff to self-isolate if they have any risk of infection, are waiting on testing, have close contact with someone with COVID-19, or have travelled from China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand within the last 14 days. We are also increasing our cleaning of hard surfaces and offer hand sanitizer in the clinic if you need it.

The most important way you can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to decrease gathering with people in public spaces. Monitoring you and your loved ones health is the main priority. If you are getting unwell- seek medical help. We will stay connected with you through this time. If you want more information it can be found at health.gov.au.

We are also keen to continue to care for your hearts and minds in the midst of what a poet calls: “endless cycles of unnerving news”. Fragments of information, global awareness of others’ sadness, worry for how our community can cope, and uncertainty about how long or what will happen, of course will make us concerned. In the midst of all of this – can we encourage our clients to centre on what you value deeply, what gives you peace, the people in your life that make you laugh and can just sit with you and hold your hands, music, dancing, sunshine and rain. Notice your bodies, your hearts, your people, and offer kindness to others – we all need it.

For those with a spiritual disposition, this inspirational quote by Morgan Harper Nichols may also offer peace:

“Over rivers and valleys, mountains and plains—over all you have lost and all you have gained. Over all you have gathered, and all you let go, you have travelled at length through the wild of unknowns. And through all that is changing you can see you have grown. You have walked in the light. You have not been alone.”

One final note to emphasise, this information should not alarm or heighten any distress you may have surrounding recent developments of the novel Coronavirus. Rather, our desire is for you to be informed and know that our heart is to protect and ensure the safety of all so we can continue to provide you with our Zest Infusion promise of valued professional care. 

Finally I would like to say that our Zest Team is very lucky to have Dr Johanna Lynch on our team who along with being a Psychotherapist is a GP.  She has assisted me in writing this blog and is ensuring that we have the medical facts amidst the chaos of information. I thank her for her valuable input at this challenging time.

Sincerely,
Dr Ilze Grobler 
Director
On Behalf of The Zest Infusion Team