Clinic COVID19 UPDATE

Thursday 23 September 2021 – Current Clinic Update for Dr Carmen Melbourne

Victoria’s Roadmap for delivering the National Plan has been announced with the easing of restriction based on meeting 70% & 80% Double dose Vaccination Targets. Here is a pdf copy of the Roadmap

Oct 26th and Nov 5th are the initially proposed dates for easing some restrictions in Victoria based on meeting vaccination targets. 

HOSPITAL UPDATE – SURGICAL LISTS ARE BEING LIMITED TO 50%

On Thurs 23 Sep, Hospitals have notified Dr Carmen that surgical lists will be CUT to 50% of normally allocated lists from October 1st.

Purely Cosmetic Surgery (no item number elective surgery) is still NOT available and may not be available until Early 2022.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

• Elective Surgery – surgery with an MBS item number in a Hospital (following directions below) is AVAILABLE (but limited to 50% of normal lists)
• Post Op Review for surgery patients is AVAILABLE
• In-Clinic Consultation with a Surgeon for an MBS Item number Surgery is AVAILABLE
• Virtual Consultation with a Surgeon is AVAILABLE – Learn more

NOT AVAILABLE

• In-Clinic Consultations with a Surgeon for Purely Cosmetic Surgery – NOT AVAILABLE
• Cosmetic Surgery (Surgery with No Item Number- e.g. cosmetic breast augmentation) – NOT AVAILABLE – probably not likely til Early 2022?
• Injectables Treatments – NOT AVAILABLE – probably not likely til November 2021 – please call to be added to Dr Carmen’s waiting list

REDUCED PATIENT FLOW TO MEET GOVT RESTRICTIONS WHEN ATTENDING OUR CLINIC

Under the government Covid Safely Guidelines, we are restricted on the number of people that we can have in the clinic at any one time (staff included).

• Please come alone if possible.
• If you do require a support person please ask them to wait in the car.
• Please do not bring children to your appointment.
• Wear a mask.
• Sign in using the Victorian Govt QR Code at Reception.

PRE-OPERATIVE COVID TESTING (FOR PATIENTS HAVING SURGERY IN HOSPITAL)

All patients are now required to have a covid test prior to their surgery.

• Effective Thursday 26th August pre-operative COVID19 testing (swabbing) will be extended to include all medical and surgical patients admitted to our facilities.
• This will include all patients being admitted for any elective procedure including a day procedure.
• Patients who DO NOT have a negative test result from Thursday 26th August onwards can expect to have any non-urgent admission postponed.
• Patients are required to have the swab test 72 hrs prior to surgery and then be required to self-isolate between taking the test and their hospital admission.
• Patients are not able to use the Drive through the testing site, it must be a Pathology Collection Clinic.
• Dr Carmen’s team will email you a pathology slip as part of your preoperative information.

YOU MUST NOT VISIT Dr CARMEN’s CLINIC IF:

• You are a close contact (Tier 1, 2 or 3) with a covid positive person
• Have been in a red zone
• You Feel unwell

We are OPEN and AVAILABLE to take your Enquiries Our patient support and admin team are always happy to take your calls – Please phone 

Coronavirus and Our Practice

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN OUR CLINIC

You will need to check in on-site and have your temperature taken. Please read and follow the clinic Covid Precautions if you are visiting the clinic.

IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT

If you are feeling unwell or experiencing any signs of illness (runny nose, sore throat, upset stomach, body aches, temperature, cough or flu-like symptoms), we ask that you call us as soon as possible to postpone or reschedule your appointment.  It is also important that you seek immediate medical attention.

PAST CLINIC UPDATES ARE HERE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY – THESE ARE NOW OUTDATED

CLINIC COVID UPDATE – 8th June 2021

Victoria is in lockdown until last Thursday night 10th June. Hopefully we shall resume Fri 11th June.

Surgery, injectables and in-person consults are not available.

Virtual consults and patient reviews are available – please phone the rooms.

CLINIC COVID UPDATE – 1st March 2021

UPDATE – Surgery, Injectables and In-Person Consultations are available subject to Covid Precautions.

• Face to Face Consultations with Dr Carmen are available
• Virtual Consultations with Dr Carmen are available
• Dr Carmen has resumed operating on all types of procedures 
• Post-op treatments for past surgery patients are available
• Injectables treatments are available 
• Skin & Dermal Treatments are available at this time

we will be waiting for further Government announcements

For further information please call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au  to book an appointment.

CLINIC COVID UPDATE – Thu 29th October 2020

UPDATE – Surgery, Injectables and In-Person Consultations are available

• Face to Face Consultations with Dr Carmen are available
• Virtual Consultations with Dr Carmen are available
• Dr Carmen has resumed operating on all types of procedures – Hospital lists  currently have restricted capacity
• Post-op treatments for past surgery patients are available
• Injectables treatments are available for the Upper Face only – masks must be worn by patients and injectors
• Skin & Dermal Treatments are NOT available at this time

we will be waiting for further Government announcements

For further information please call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au to book an appointment.

CLINIC HEALTH INFORMATION & COVID SAFETY PLAN

The health and safety of patients and staff is Dr Carmen’s highest priority

With the new telehealth medicare provider number, Dr Carmen is moving toward a telehealth model offering virtual consultations. This means your appointment may be held over the phone or online, to avoid face to face consultation where possible. This helps to reduce everyone’s risk and allow social distancing requirements in our workplace.

With the current restrictions encompassing the health sector, Dr Carmen can only treat patients who have urgent needs. However, we are still open and looking after our recovering post-operative patients to provide ongoing aftercare, both in clinic and online.

If you are attending our rooms, we would appreciate if you can assist with the following requests

1. Arrive for your appointment at the allotted time. If early, please wait in your car until your scheduled time.
2. Please attend your appointment alone. Please refrain from bringing friends, family and children so as not to increase the number of people in our rooms.
3. Please use hand sanitiser at reception upon arrival and departure.
4. Please respect social distancing requirements and remain 1.5 metres from others.
5. Your temperature will be taken upon arrival for your safety and that of our staff.

For patients attending a necessary appointment

1. Are you feeling unwell with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, dry cough or shortness of breath?
2. Have you any contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19?
3. Have you travelled overseas in the past 14 days?
4. Have you been in contact with someone who has returned from overseas in the past 14 days?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please do not attend in person and contact our rooms immediately.

CLINIC COVID UPDATE – Mon 28th September 2020

GREAT NEWS – Surgery, Injectables and In-Person Consultations have resumed!

• Dr Carmen has resumed operating on all types of procedures – Hospital lists are currently restricted to 75% of capacity
• Face to Face Consultations with Dr Carmen are available
• Virtual Consultations with Dr Carmen also available
• Injectables treatments are available for the Upper Face only 
• Skin & Dermal Treatments are NOT available at this time (Maybe Late October)

After October 19th – we will be waiting for further Government announcements

For further information please call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au to book an appointment.

CLINIC UPDATE – Sep 16th 2020

Just Announced – Elective Surgery resuming Sep 28th

We are still in lockdown Stage 4 but Covid case numbers continue to decline.

The Victorian Government has just announced that Elective Surgery will resume on Sep 28th on reduced hospital capacity of 75%. then 85% capacity until October 26th.

CLINIC OPEN & AVAILABLE NOW AT AESTHETIK PROFILE for

• Virtual Consultations
• Face to Face Surgical Consultations
• Only Urgent Surgery Cat 1  & 2 is currently allowed – like ruptured implants and urgent trauma, infection or skin cancer surgery

AVAILABLE FROM MON SEP 28th 

• All Elective Surgery
• Injectables

AVAILABLE FROM OCT 26th

• Dermal Treatments with Dermal Clinicians
• For further information please call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au to book an appointment.

CLINIC COVID UPDATE – 28th July 2020

Stage 4 Lockdown in Victoria

To all my dear patients!

We wanted to touch base with you to let you know we are thinking of you and give you an update on the current situation.

A state of disaster has been declared in Victoria by Premier Andrews – we are now in Stage 4 Lockdown for the next 6 weeks.

• Only Urgent Surgery is currently allowed
• All Elective Surgery is Suspended til Late Sep/ Early October ?
• Virtual Consultations with Dr Carmen are available for all surgeries
• Non- Surgical Treatments like Injectables are currently suspended til Late September / Early Oct?

Only the most urgent and essential elective plastic surgery is to be undertaken. This precludes almost all elective plastic surgery.

The surgeries that are AVAILABLE are as follows:

• Skin cancer surgery that should not be delayed such as melanomas, SCC, BCC
• Surgery for trauma or infection
• Ruptured breast implants or removal of implants causing severe pain and discomfort

For further information please call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au to book an appointment.

COVID CLINIC UPDATE – 2^nd June 2020 – From Dr Carmen Munteanu

To all my dear patients!

We wanted to touch base with you to let you know we are thinking of you and give you an update on the current situation.

The Federal Government has officially announced the resumption of elective surgery. This will allow 50%, 75% and 100% of normal operating to resume over time according to the strategy outlined by the Prime Minister.

We now await the Victorian State Government’s announcement of exactly how this will work.

This will be managed according to the Victorian State Governments jurisdictional guidelines and relative to the number of COVID-19 cases within each jurisdiction.

Like all clinics and businesses, we are taking additional protective measures to ensure the health and safety of our patients, staff and community. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to act under the guidelines from AHPRA and the Australian Health Authorities.

We would like to say thank you for all the support so far as we navigate through this global pandemic.

We are now conducting our clinic in a new normal, a Covid normal, not the same as before but a different normal, something we will all adapt to over time.

We are still offering virtual consultations, however, we can also offer in-person consultations again. Both types of consultations allow Dr Munteanu to assess the options and for you to outline your goals.

Please call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au to book an appointment.

CLINIC COVID UPDATE – 9^th APRIL 2020 – From Dr Carmen Munteanu

Important message for our patients

From April 1st, as per the Australian Government, we have temporarily suspended all non-urgent elective surgeries.

This means all procedures which are non-critical will be POSTPONED

The type of elective procedures affected include the following:

• Breast surgeries – reduction, lift or mastopexy, augmentation, fat transfer
• Post weight loss or body contouring surgeries – abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, bodylift, arm lift, thigh lift
• Cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction
• Cosmetic injectables, botulinum toxin, fillers

The surgeries that may still continue are as follows:

• Skin cancer surgery that should not be delayed such as melanomas, SCC, BCC
• Surgery for trauma or infection
• Ruptured breast implants or removal of implants causing severe pain and discomfort

If you would like to book a consultation or need more information, please contact us via phone, email, online chat or our website. For Dr Carmen’s patients she is still available as always to take care of you.

The COVID-19 crisis will pass and we will get through this challenging time as a community.

Stay safe, stay well, wash your hands!

CLINIC COVIC UPDATE – 26^th March 2020 – From Dr Carmen Munteanu

Nation-wide temporary suspension of elective surgery

As per Prime Minister announcement on 25/03/2020 non urgent elective surgery will be temporarily suspended from midnight 25/03/2020.

We are hoping by taking these actions as well as the work to date to stop the spread of Coronavirus, we can protect lives and we can save lives. We are calling all patients that this might affect who are currently booked for surgery. If you would like more information, please call us on 03 9852 0545.
Our thoughts and good wishes are with you and we will endeavour to support you as much as we can.

Take care and keep well! We will see you when we beat this!

For more information call 03 9852 0545 or email info@drcarmen.com.au to book an appointment.

Further Reading – medical references