The first GP-led respiratory clinic in WA established as part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health package to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak has opened in Geraldton.

The Federal Government is establishing up to 100 GP-led respiratory clinics around the country to assess patients with mild to moderate COVID-19-like symptoms. The clinics will reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and other local general practices.

Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton, said the Geraldton clinic, which opened today after a trial on Friday, was one of up to 100 dedicated respiratory clinics being set up across Australia as part of the Australian Government’s response to the outbreak.

“We are putting in place a range of measures including additional practice incentives and the expansion of telehealth to enable the rural medical workforce to continue to care for regional Australians through this crisis,” Minister Coulton said.

Durack MP, Melissa Price, said the local clinic is best placed to support people with fever, cough, sore throat, and other respiratory symptoms while avoiding the risk of infection in other members of the community.

“I encourage anyone in our community experiencing these symptoms to call the clinic or go online to book an appointment,” Ms Price said.

“The Federal Government has been working with local GPs and Aspen Medical - which has significant health emergency management experience in Australia and overseas - to roll out the Geraldton clinic.”

More than 260 fever clinics, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments, are also in operation across Australia.

To access a clinic, people can visit health.gov.au and use the online booking system.