What is COVID-19 & what does it stand for?
COVID-19 is defined as “a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus which occurred in the year 2019. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease, hence COVID-19. This disease is also commonly referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Most often, the symptoms of COVID-19 can be similar to the cold/flu. The most common symptoms include fever & dry cough, sometimes the individual may also experience a sore throat, runny nose , shortness of breath, tiredness, headaches & or aches and pains. 

Now that we are in stage 4 restrictions, can I still attend an appointment if I live further than 5km?
Yes you can the 5km radius will not apply when you attend an Osteopathic appointment. The Victorian State Government and the Department of Health and Human services, has advised “that you CAN leave home to receive health care or attend medical appointments. If you need to see a doctor or health care professional, you should do so.”
For more information click here.

What happens when I come in for an appointment now? What safety measures have been implemented?
1 – We kindly ask that all patients complete our COVID-19 screening questionnaire prior to attending an appointment. This form will be sent to you via a link in your sms reminder the day before.

2 – It is recommended that ONLY the patient attends the appointment, unless they require a carer or vice versa. As of Thursday 23rd of July, 2020 person/s attending MUST be wearing a face mask or face covering, otherwise our Practitioners cannot go ahead with the treatment.

3 – Upon arrival we request that you wait in your vehicle where your treating Practitioner  will come out to perform a temperature check. Unfortunately if you record a temperature of 37.5 degrees celsius or higher, we will have to cancel your appointment. *please note, if you refuse to have your temperature screen, unfortunately we will have to decline to treat you*.

4 – You will be asked to wash you hands pre & post treatment.

5 – Your Practitioner will be wearing a face mask & shield at all times and social distancing will still apply pre treatment while your history is being taken & post treatment once the consult has wrapped up. If you have brought your own towel, that’s great! If not, no big deal we can still provide you with our single use linen at the clinic.

6 – When taking payments, we will request that you swipe your own bank card, Medicare card & or private health cards. We encourage you to use “tap n go” where possible to avoid terminal contact. Please be advised that our terminal will be cleaned & disinfected before & after every use no matter what. Otherwise if you are more comfortable we can provide you with a glove. 

8 – Last but not least, please don’t forget to use our hand sanitiser before you leave. We have plenty of bottles scattered around the clinic. 

How do I know if my headaches & aches/pains are COVID-19 related or not? can I still come on for treatment?
If your headache & or aches/pains are accompanied with other symptoms mentioned above we would advise that you DO NOT book in for a treatment but rather seek medical advice from your GP. If your headache & or aches/pains are not accompanied with any of the above symptoms then it’s still ok for you to book in for an appointment. If you are ever unsure please always speak to your GP for further advice. 

What if I’m unsure about my symptoms?
We highly recommend that you call your GP and ask them to triage you over the phone. 

What if I have tested positive to COVID-19 in the past but have recovered?
In this instance we would require you to speak to one of our Practitioners directly prior to making an appointment. Your treating Practitioner will require confirmation of 2 negative tests & written clearance from the Victorian Health authority &/or your GP prior to you attending an appointment with us.

What if I suspect or if I have been in contact with a positive case after attending my appointment?
Firstly, you should contact your GP & they will point you in the right direction for testing. Secondly, we would require you to contact the clinic on 03 9704 7244 IMMEDIATELY to inform us. We would then begin the process of cross tracing those who were at risk on the day.

Where can I get tested?
If you have symptoms or suspect that you may be suffering from COVID-19, you can call the 24 hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 or visit:

The nearest Hospital respiratory clinic to us is available at Monash Health (Berwick)
– 7 Gibb Street, Berwick, VIC 3806
– Phone: (03) 9594 6666
– Operating hours 8:00am to 4:30pm

For more locations click here

What if I wake up feeling unwell the morning of my appointment?
We would request that you call us on 03 9702 7244 to cancel your appointment. Late cancellation fees will not be applied in this case.

Can I bring my children or a support person with me to the appointment?
If possible we do ask you to attend your appointment by yourself. However in the event that you require a support person or do not have a babysitter, they are still welcome to come. Social distancing rules will also apply to those accompanying you within the treatment room.

I am a high risk patient, can I still come in for a treatment?
Some people are more at risk than others of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, such as the elderly, those with a weakened immune system or those who suffer from a chronic medical condition ( high blood pressure, heart/lung or kidney disease & diabetes). UNLESS you suspect or you have COVID-19, you can still come in for treatment. We want to reassure you that our clinic and treating Practitioners are keeping up with the right protocols and superior hygiene standards. We want to assure you that we have implemented the necessary safety measures required to keep our team, our patients and our community safe whilst attending our clinic for an appointment.  

I am pregnant, is it still safe for me to have treatment?
Yes, it is still safe for you to come in for a treatment. Pregnant women do not appear to be more at risk of COVID-19 than the rest of the general population. However pregnant women are more at risk from other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu. Flu season is fast approaching, so we highly recommend that if you’re currently pregnant you should practice physical distancing, good hand hygiene & have your flu vaccine. 

Once again, we want to reassure you that our clinic and treating Practitioners are keeping up with the right protocols and superior hygiene standards. We want to assure you that we have implemented the necessary safety measures required to keep our team, our patients and our community safe whilst attending our clinic for an appointment.

What if I forgot to BYO towel?
Like we said, no big deal, we are still providing single use linen at the clinic. 

Did we miss out on a question? Not to worry, click here use our online contact form & ask us there. We will endeavor to get back to you within 24 hours.