Information about COVID-19

St Vincent's is working closely with NSW Health to help keep our patients, visitors and staff safe.

Please see the below important information about visiting, entry requirements, getting tested and how to keep yourself safe. 

Visitor Entry Requirements

St Vincent’s is committed to keeping our patients, their families and carers, and our staff safe. 

Visiting Hours

Visiting Hours are 10am - 8pm daily, with the exception of Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Ward which are 2pm - 8pm.

 

Visitor Entry Requirements

All visitors must wear a surgical mask for the entire duration of the visit. 

Visitors must:

  • Not be visiting a person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
  • Have not tested positive to COVID-19 within the last 7 days 
  • Are not a high-risk contact of someone who has COVID-19 in the previous 7 days 
  • Not have COVID-19 symptoms for at least 7 days
  • Wear a surgical mask correctly on entry and for the duration of the visit

No visitors are permitted to designated COVID-19 wards or red zones.

Visitors who do not meet the above criteria will be required to contact the ward or clinical area to arrange a visitor exemption request. Please note these requests will only be approved in exceptional circumstances.   

We will continue to monitor the evolving situation and update our advice for visitors accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What if I have had a positive COVID-19 test result, including a positive rapid antigen test, in the past 7 days?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 7 days or have any symptoms, you will not be permitted to visit any of our facilities. 

What if I have cold or flu-like symptoms (COVID symptoms)?
If you have cold or flu-like symptoms such as a cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose you will not be permitted entry for at least 7 days, and you must then ensure you have a negative RAT before visiting.

*This excludes if you require medical treatment and present as a patient to the Emergency Department.

*This excludes if you require medical treatment and present as a patient to the Emergency Department.

Am I allowed to wear a home-made or material face mask?
No. You must wear a surgical mask for the duration of your visit, which will be supplied to you at the entry point if you do not have one. Masks must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth.

If you have a mask exemption, you will need to contact the ward/clinical area to apply for a visitor exemption. You must provide your mask exemption and show evidence of this whilst in the facility.

What if I live with someone who is COVID-19 positive?
If you think you have been exposed to anyone who has had COVID-19, you will not be permitted to enter any of our facilities for 7 days following your exposure risk.

How long am I required to wait to visit a patient if I have arrived from overseas?
You no longer have to wait to visit a patient if you have recently arrived from overseas, so long as you adhere to all other entry requirements.

Can children visit the hospital?
Yes, children may visit the hospital. Mask wearing is compulsory for children over the age of 12, and encouraged for those under 12. 

Am I allowed to visit a COVID-19 positive patient?

This will only be approved in extenuating circumstances. It is preferred that visitors wait for the patient to be de-isolated before they request to visit.

Can I help bring someone into the Emergency Department or outpatient appointment?
Yes. You must not have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 7 days.

What if I am the parent or guardian of a patient under the age of 16 in hospital?
You will be approved to visit your child. You must not have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 7 days.

 

Conditions of entry for patients

As a condition of entry into any of our facilities, including St Vincent's Hospital; Sacred Heart Health Service; The O'Brien Centre; The Kinghorn Cancer Centre; and St Joseph's Hospital in Auburn, patients and visitors must adhere to the following:

  • Wear a surgical mask correctly on entry and for the duration of their visit

In addition -

For patients with booked admissions to hospital

  • Have evidence of a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken within 24 hours of presentation to hospital. If you are unable to source a RAT, we will provide one to you upon arrival
  • If you are positive or symptomatic, please let the service/clinic know as soon as possible, so that we can discuss a plan

For patients attending outpatient appointments

  • Have evidence of a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken within 24 hours of presentation to hospital. If you are unable to source a RAT, we will provide one to you upon arrival
  • If you are positive or symptomatic, please let the service/clinic know as soon as possible, so that we can discuss a plan

Emergency Department presentations and unplanned hospital admissions

• Have a COVID-19 test on presentation

 

Thank you for your cooperation. The safety of our staff, patients and community is our highest priority.

Keeping you safe

Using virtual care (telehealth) where appropriate
We are reviewing all hospital appointments and, if it is appropriate, conducting them using virtual care (telehealth). We have done this to reduce the amount of movement in and around the hospital.

You will be advised if your appointment will be conducted using virtual care (telehealth). Please get in contact with your service provider if you have any concerns.

COVID-19 Testing

St Vincent's COVID-19 PCR testing clinics are now closed.

 For a full list of testing clinics across NSW, please CLICK HERE.

St Vincent's Vaccination Hub

The St Vincent's  COVID-19 Vaccination Hub is now closed.

For information on COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, including your nearest clinic, please see https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated

Oral COVID-19 Medications Service

St Vincent’s is supporting local GPs by supplying COVID-19 oral medications to patients in the community with COVID-19. 

Prescriptions are emailed by GPs to svhnsoralcovidmedications@svha.org.au, and we will endeavour to deliver all medications either the same or next day of receiving a prescription.

Service Operating hours: 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Email: svhnsoralcovidmedications@svha.org.au

Phone number: (02) 8382 1187

About the service

  1. What is the St Vincent’s Hospitals Network Sydney (SVHNS) Oral COVID Medication Service? St Vincent’s Hospitals Network Sydney is supporting local GPs by supplying COVID-19 oral medications to patients in the community with COVID-19.
  2. How does the St Vincent’s Hospitals Network Sydney (SVHNS) Oral COVID Medication Service get the prescription? Prescriptions are emailed by GPs to svhnsoralcovidmedications@svha.org.au.
  3. How long does it take for my medication to be delivered? SVHNS will endeavour to deliver all medications either the same or next day of receiving a prescription.
  4. How do I get in contact with the SVHNS Oral COVID-19 Medications Service? You can email svhnsoralcovidmedications@svha.org.au  or call (02) 8382 1187. Please note our operating hours at 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

For patients

  1. I want to know more about Oral COVID-19 Medications who can I talk to? Speak to your local General Practitioner (GP).
  2. I am COVID-19 positive am I eligible for these oral COVID-19 Medications? Speak to your local General Practitioner (GP).
  3. Can I or anyone else pick up the medications from the St Vincent’s Hospitals Network Sydney (SVHNS) Oral COVID Medication Service? No. St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney is only providing a delivery service.
  4. How do I know when the medications are ready? The SVHS transport team will contact you once the medications are ready and on route for delivery.
  5. I am a St Vincent’s Hospital outpatient (eg: Heart, Lung and Kidney transplant patient or Haematology/ Bone Marrow Transplant patient) but live outside of the St Vincent’s Hospital oral covid medications catchment area. My specialist doctor (who I see at the St Vincent’s Clinic) said I should get molnupiravir (Lagevrio) OR nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid), how can I get this? See your local GP. St Vincent’s Hospital is only able to supply to our local catchment area.
  6. Do I have to pay for the medications? No it is funded by the government and free of charge.
  7. Can I get these medications from my local pharmacy? Lagevrio is now available from Community Pharmacies – speak to your GP about how to access it. Paxlovid is only available from public hospital pharmacies.
  8. Who do I contact if I have more questions about my medications? Speak to the clinician who prescribed you the medication.
  9. I have finished my course of medications and I still feel unwell? Speak to the clinician who prescribed you the medication.
  10. My condition has deteriorated since starting this medication, what do I do? Contact your GP immediately or present to your local Emergency Department or to contact 000. If you present to ED bring your medications with you.

For general practitioners

  1. I would like to prescribe molnupiravir (Lagevrio) OR nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) to my patient what do I need to do?
    1. Review the ACI Model of Care for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and antivirals for people with mild and moderate COVID-19 and CEC Drug Guidelines for prescribing guidance:
      1. ACI Model of Care for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and antivirals for people with mild and moderate COVID-19
      2. Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) Drug Guideline
      3. Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Drug Guideline
    2. Prescribers should then obtain patient consent and provide relevant patient information:
      1. Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) Patient Consent Form
      2. Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Patient Consent Form
      3. Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) Patient Information factsheet
      4. Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Patient Information factsheet
    3. Prescribers should then complete the Prescription and Declaration – Oral antiviral medicines for COVID-19 Form
    4. Prescribers should then email the completed Prescription and Declaration – Oral antiviral medicines for COVID-19 Form to the svhns oral covid medications service.
  2. Do molnupiravir (Lagevrio) OR nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) interact with any medications? Review the following guidance:
    1. ACI Model of Care for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and antivirals for people with mild and moderate COVID-19
    2. Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) Drug Guideline
    3. Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Drug Guideline
    4. https://www.covid19-druginteractions.org/
    5. If you need more information please email: svhnsoralcovidmedications@svha.org.au with your enquiry
  3. Molnuprivair (Lagevrio) is now available to be accessed on the PBS.
  1. You may consider your patient obtaining molnupiravir (Lagevrio) from their local pharmacy as an alternative.
  1. My questions weren’t answered here what can I do? Review the Model of care for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and antivirals for people with mild and moderate COVID-19 for all requirements. If you need more information please email the CEC Medication Safety team or the svhns oral covid medications service.

Long Covid Outpatients Clinic

Post-Acute & Long COVID Clinic
Long COVID Clinic: Please note, we are contending with significant demand, and are progressing referrals as fast as possible.

What is Long-COVID?

The Post COVID condition or "Long-COVID" is the persistence of new or unexplained symptoms and signs that last for more than 12 weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus).

The symptoms of Long COVID may affect one or several parts of the body and may vary in severity from being hardly noticeable to impacting daily activities. Some symptoms are more severe in people sick with acute COVID disease. However, Long COVID can still occur in people who did not require hospitalisation with acute COVID and those vaccinated against COVID-19.

There is not one specific test for Long COVID, and the diagnosis requires an expert assessment from a health care professional such as a Physician or General Practitioner.

For more information, please read the WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Post COVID 19 condition page and watch the short "What are common Long COVID symptoms" video.

What are the symptoms of Long COVID?

Common symptoms can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Lethargy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Cough
  • "Brain fog" or difficulty thinking clearly
  • Headache
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Hair loss
  • Poor concentration
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Heart palpitations (racing heartbeat)
  • Reduced exercise tolerance

For most people, the symptoms of Long COVID will improve with time. However, the path to recovery may be slow, and some factors can make the journey even longer if not identified and treated.

There are practical and valuable management strategies that many have found helpful in returning to their life "pre-COVID".

Each person is different, so your recovery journey post-COVID requires a personalised approach. Recovery takes time, so we encourage you to use the self-management resources and complete all the pre-clinic assessments before your first appointment with the Long COVID service.

What should I do if I experience these symptoms?

Your GP should first see you. Then, based on your symptoms and your initial assessment, your GP may request investigations to help explain the symptoms you are experiencing.

You will require a current GP or specialist medical practitioner referral to the St Vincent's Long COVID Clinic.

You cannot be referred directly to our clinic as soon as you contract COVID-19 because most people's symptoms will slowly improve and resolve in the first month or two after COVID-19.

We do not accept Long COVID referrals earlier than twelve weeks from the date of your initial infection by COVID-19.

Please be aware that due to a large number of affected patients and limited available resources, we may not be able to see everyone referred to the St Vincent's Long-COVID Clinic. However, your GP can also refer you to the appropriate local specialist using their Health Pathway.

How can I manage Long COVID?

Resources are available to le to assist you with managing your physical and emotional recovery including:

What is the St Vincent’s Long COVID Clinic?

The St Vincent's Long COVID clinic is a multi-disciplinary specialist medical and allied health outpatient service to diagnose and manage symptoms of Long COVID in adult patients over the age of 16 years and living in Sydney.

The service includes:

  • Associate Professor Anthony Byrne - Respiratory Physician
  • Professor Steven Faux - Rehabilitation Physician
  • Ellie Asgary - Clinical Nurse Consultant and Care Coordinator
  • Dr Emma Stumbles
  • Dr Morgan Hee
  • Irina Grassi - Physiotherapist
  • Dr Jayne Wheatley - Clinical Psychologist

Associate Professor Anthony Byrne leads the Long COVID Respiratory Clinic on Mondays.

Professor Steven Faux leads the Long COVID Rehabilitation Clinic on Wednesdays.

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is a set of interventions designed to optimise functioning, health and wellbeing and reduce disability in people with health conditions in interaction with their environment (WHO). Following COVID, rehabilitation may include providing information, education, supported self-management, peer support, symptom management strategies and physical rehabilitation.

Our Long COVID clinic uses a multi-disciplinary approach to guide the rehabilitation process, containing a physical and psychological aspect of management. It includes:

  • Making goals for the patients' rehabilitation based on an assessment that may lead to further investigations
  • Assisting patients and giving guidance toward their recovery
  • Helping patients and guiding them if their symptoms fluctuate.

What happens during my Long COVID Clinic appointment?

Long COVID Respiratory Clinic

First, you will have your observations assessed. Then you will have a Lung Function Test (LFT), which may take up to 40 minutes. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your respiratory inhaler if you have one.

You do not need to withhold any respiratory inhaler on the day of your appointment. Following your test, a Respiratory Physician will review your results.

Your appointment may take up to two hours.

Long COVID Rehabilitation Clinic

To begin, you will have your observation checked. Then a Clinical Nurse Consultant and a Rehabilitation Physician will review your HOPE Survey (rehabilitation screening tool).

What happens after my Long COVID Clinic appointment?

There is a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting every Thursday for all patients reviewed during the week. The session includes two respiratory physicians, two rehab physicians, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and a clinical nurse consultant.

This MDT meeting aims to discuss patients' conditions and diagnoses to facilitate and create a management plan. In addition, patients may require further investigations or reviews by other health professionals or specialties, who may or may not be part of our healthcare team.

How do I prepare for my clinic appointment?

You will need to have the following completed before your Long COVID Clinic appointment:

  1. The required blood tests - ordered by GP
  2. A Chest X-ray - ordered by GP
  3. HOPE Rehabilitation Screening Tool - you will receive a text message with the link to the tool up to one week before your appointment.

We may need to contact you to obtain further information to proceed with your booking for the appropriate clinic.

You will receive a text message with your booking information.

Where is the St Vincent's Long COVID Clinic located?

The St Vincent's Long COVID Clinic is on level 3 (entry-level) of the hospital in the St Vincent's Public Hospital Outpatient Clinic.

The St Vincent's Public Hospital's address is 390 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010. 

Information for referring physicians

Please refer to the Clinical Practice Guide for Assessment and Management of Adults with Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 published by the NSW Agency of Clinical Innovation.

Patients referred to the St Vincent’s Long COVID Clinic must be aged over 16 years.

In addition to the St Vincent's Long COVID Clinic, clinicians can refer patients to their local follow-up services using the Post COVID-19 Conditions Health Pathway.

General Practitioners are encouraged to lead investigations outlined on this page (CXR and blood tests) for high-risk patients before 12 weeks following their initial COVID infection.

Those at higher risk of developing Long COVID include patients with the following:

  • Very severe symptoms that persist after 28 days from initial infection
  • Those that required hospital admission or ED presentation
  • Un-vaccinated (for COVID-19) individuals
  • People with greater than five symptoms at the time of the initial COVID infection
  • Females

How to refer

  • All referrals to the St Vincent’s Long COVID Clinic MUST include the patient's phone number and email address
  • Please email all referrals to svhs.longcovid@svha.org.au
  • A Chest X-Ray and the following blood tests are required:
    • FBC
    • EUC
    • LFT
    • CMP
    • LDH
    • Uric Acid
    • D-Dimer
    • Coagulation profile
    • Troponin
    • CK
    • CRP
    • Fasting BSL and Cholesterol
    • Iron Studies
    • Vitamin D, B12, Folate, Selenium, Zinc
    • TSH
    • EBV and CMV serology and quantitative PCR
    • Hepatitis B and C serology

Participate in COVID-19 Research

ADAPT is an ongoing observational cohort study following people post COVID-19 infection. The Study aims to characterise several outcomes over at least one year of follow up to understand how people’s bodies respond to the SARS CoV2 virus. 

ADAPT collects details on people’s symptoms at regular intervals after infection. The Study also collects data on their respiratory and neurological function, and on their mental health and wellbeing. Blood tests are taken to measure the immune response, both in terms of antibodies and more complicated tests of immunological function. These will help us understand whether having COVID-19 provides any protection from SARS CoV2 reinfection and inform vaccine development. 

The study is being carried out by investigators at St Vincent’s Hospital and is enrolling any patients diagnosed with COVID-19 through the St Vincent’s clinical service and testing clinics. Patients diagnosed at other locations may also be eligible to enrol. 

The St Vincent's ADAPT study is looking for volunteers who have tested positive to COVID-19 since January 2022 to take part in a post COVID follow-up study.

What does it involve?

  • Screening visit to determine eligibility and provide consent
  • Once eligible, 3-4 follow-up visits over a period of 1 year
  • Tests and assessments, including symptom review, blood samples and health and wellbeing questionnaires.

For further information please contact St Vincent's Translational Research Centre at: SVHS.ADAPT@svha.org.au

; gail_david

Lead Investigators Professor Gail Matthews and Dr David Darley

To support this important research, please CLICK HERE