The federal health minister has condemned Australians who have reportedly abused frontline healthcare workers as he announced a slew of measures to support primary care facilities in the fight against coronavirus.
Greg Hunt described health workers as the "heroes of the months to come" and warned that anyone who threatened the safety of doctors, nurses and medical centre receptionists would have "the full force of the law brought down upon them".
"If we take care of them, they can take care of us," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "This cannot be allowed to happen".
The support package includes moving towards "whole-of-population telehealth", an additional five million masks to be delivered to general practitioners and almost 200,000 additional COVID-19 test kits.
From Monday, all Australians will be able to access telehealth services for consultations with general practitioners, specialists, mental health and allied health professionals in a move described by authorities as "one of the most significant changes" to general practice in more than 30 years.
"That is an extremely important development," Mr Hunt said. "Very important to stress, however, that a very large proportion of GP services, of course, require face-to-face treatment."
Currently, only people deemed vulnerable - elderly people, pregnant women, Indigenous Australians over 50 years of age, parents of babies, and Australians with compromised immune systems or chronic diseases - are eligible to bulk-bill telehealth services.
The move will also allow vulnerable medical professionals to continue treating patients from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A practitioner collects a specimen for coronavirus testing. Source: AP
Mr Hunt said that 175 coronavirus testing clinics were now operating across Australia, with an additional 31 clinics set to open over the next week.
Approximately 147,000 coronavirus tests have already been undertaken since the beginning of the outbreak, he said, which equates to more than 0.5 per cent of the Australian population.
The government is looking to double the number of ventilators in the country, from the current stock of 2,000 to 4,000, he added.
Investigations are also underway into whether Australia could begin manufacturing ventilators, with the potential to add an additional 5,000 units to hospitals across the country.
Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone welcomed the changes to telehealth, which he said would help keep both patients and doctors safe.
He also conceded, however, that there would still be a number of patients that would need to be seen in person.
"We can't replace everything through a video or through a phone call," he told Nine News.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,895 COVID-19 cases have been recorded across Australia.
Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, according to the Federal Government's website, and can include a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Only people who have recently travelled from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and experienced symptoms within 14 days are currently advised to be tested.
But on Monday night, Australia's deputy chief medical officer told ABC's Q+A that the guidelines for COVID-19 testing due to the strict limits on overseas travel.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
With AAP
