Your health and safety is our priority
Our teams take every precaution to ensure that anyone seeking treatment is safe in a GenesisCare centre.
Don’t delay your health checks, appointments and treatment – early detection saves lives.
If you have any concerns about starting or continuing treatment for cancer at this time, please reach out to your local centre.
COVID-19 vaccine and cancer patients
Cancer Australia has compiled a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 vaccines for people living with cancer in Australia. These FAQs are based upon the latest evidence available in Australia and globally. The FAQs are available via this URL: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/covid-19-and-cancer/covid-19-vaccines-and-cancer/FAQs
Continuing your treatment
What are we doing to keep you safe?
Providing safe and clean facilities is a key focus, and we have increased the frequency of cleaning rounds including in high use areas in all our centres.
All employees and guests are asked to practice increased infection control strategies when in our centres, with the use of hand sanitiser, respiratory hygiene practices and social distancing in line with our Covid safe plans.
We are screening all people who attend our centres for Covid risk or symptoms on arrival.
We are minimising the number of people who enter our centres and, when guided by state authorities, may ask that only carers who are essential to patients’ wellbeing enter our centres. Visitors will be screened on arrival.
Visitors will not be allowed in our centres if they:
- Have been diagnosed with coronavirus and have not been released from isolation ( 7 days post diagnosis with resolution of major symptoms)
- Have been advised to quarantine or self-isolate by a health authority
Genesis Care staff follow state health authority guidelines for use of PPE such as eye protection, masks, gloves and gowns.
Please let us know if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever or a cough before you attend our centre. Visit the Department of Health website for information on symptoms of COVID-19. Please call us in advance of your appointment if you are feeling unwell.
If you have had a positive COVID test in the past week please contact the centre as soon as possible
In order to reduce the number of people in the waiting room, please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment time. Where possible, we encourage a minimum of 1.5 metres between people in our waiting rooms.
Where appropriate, some of your doctor’s appointments may take place via phone or telehealth. Telehealth can be used for appointments with your doctor when they are at a different location to you. This will allow you and your doctor to discuss and share health information and images without the need for you to travel to a clinic. Specific details will be provided as required. This will help reduce the risk for you and other patients.
FAQs
I have an upcoming appointment with GenesisCare
All GenesisCare centres and clinics in Australia are operating.
It’s important that you continue your treatment as prescribed. Please speak with your doctor or nurse directly with regards to your ongoing treatment plan.
Please contact your local centre if you have been advised to isolate.
The Department of Health has more information for older people, available here.
Everybody is at risk of contracting COVID-19. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people living in remote communities are at greater risk from COVID-19.
We encourage you to follow the guidelines outlined by the Department of Health about how to protect yourself, your mob, and to help stop the spread. You are able to read these guidelines on the Department of Health website via this URL: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/protect-yourself-and-others
Additionally, more information is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the Department of Health website, with regards to the COVID-19 response and support available. To read this information, please use this URL: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/about/what-were-doing
We are minimising the number of people who enter our centres and, when guided by state authorities, may at these times ask that only carers who are essential to patients’ wellbeing enter our centres.
If you’re concerned that you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms the Department of Health has provided an online self-checker tool via the healthdirect website.
Alternatively, if you wish to speak to someone directly to discuss your symptoms call heathdirect on 1800 022 222.
Healthdirect are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice.
Our centres are equipped to continue treatment if a patient contracts COVID-19 and urgent treatment is required.
Resources to help support you
- Department of Health
COVID-19 Support website for resources to support your mental health and wellbeing. - The Cancer Council
offer additional information about cancer and Coronavirus and also offers telephone support on 13 11 20. - Look Good Feel Good
(LGFG) are running virtual workshops for cancer patients. Visit their website to find out more. - Breast Cancer Network Australia
(BCNA) have online resources for breast patients, such as podcasts, which you can find here. - Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia
(PCFA) have an online factsheet available to provide support for prostate patients. - Rare Cancers
have established a “COVID-19 hub” showcasing resources and information, such as factsheets and videos, to assist you during this time. - Head and Neck Cancer Australia
for head and neck cancer patients, Head and Neck Cancer Australia have a comprehensive health and wellbeing offering, with support in your local area.