The Victorian Government Department of Health has advised that an updated COVID Positive Pathways model is now in place.
The changes were effective from 30 September 2022 with the model now focusing on supporting people who experience barriers to accessing care or need support to recover; and connecting the rest of the population with usual care.
The updated model prioritises people who experience greater challenges to access primary care, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- People aged 80 years and older
- People living with disability, or carers of people living with disability
- People needing help to recover at home, including CALD people, disadvantaged, unstable accommodation or homeless, and unsafe at home
- People of refugee or asylum seeker status
- People living in rural isolated communities.
Health Service Partnerships (HSPs) across Victoria will implement a community-focussed COVID Positive Pathways service model to support local access to COVID care and supports for Victorians. Under the changes, the Department anticipates most people in Victoria will access COVID care locally through their general practice or Respiratory and Assessment Clinics (GPRC) if they need it. HSPs will support integration and escalation pathways between health services and primary care.
People can contact the National Coronavirus Helpline (1800 020 080) if they need clinical advice or help to access care from a GP or GP Respiratory Clinic.
See also: COVID-19 Positive Pathways resources | Department of Health