Information about COVID-19

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 10 days 
• Are not a high-risk contact of someone who has COVID-19 in the previous 14 days 
• Not have COVID-19 symptoms 
• Not have arrived from overseas in the past 7 days. If you have from overseas arrived 8-14 days ago, you will need evidence of a negative RAT within 24 hours prior to attending.
• Wear a surgical mask correctly on entry and for the duration of the visit
• Scan QR codes and complete entry form on arrival.

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 10 days?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days or have any symptoms, you will not be permitted to visit any of our facilities. 

*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 are a high-risk contact* of anyone who has had COVID-19 in the previous 14 days, you will not be permitted to enter any of our facilities.

*A high-risk contact is someone who has spent more than 4 hours in a home, accommodation premises or care facility with someone who has had COVID-19.

How long am I required to wait to visit a patient if I have arrived from overseas?
All arrivals from overseas must not enter a healthcare facility for at least 7 days after arriving. If you are visiting between days 8-14 after arrival, you must perform a RAT within the 24 hours before entry to the hospital.

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

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

 

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
• Scan QR codes and complete appropriate entry forms

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.

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.

St Vincent's Bondi Beach Drive-Thru Clinic is now closed.

PCR testing is available at Sacred Heart Health Service
170 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
Enter through the western door, via the courtyard.

OPEN 7am - 4pm, 7 days a week. 

Please note: this clinic only tests individuals aged five years and older. Children under five years of age can attend Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick for testing.

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

Make a Booking online via the Vaccines Eligibility Checker

Should you make a booking at St Vincent's Vaccination Hub, please don't come to the Main Hospital.

The St Vincent's Vaccination Hub is located at: 

Sacred Heart Health Service
170 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst.
By appointment only

Some metred street parking is available. The nearest parking station can  be found at St Vincent's Hospital , just a 2 minute walk. Parking rates can be found here.

 

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 Clinic: Please note, we are contending with significant demand, and are progressing referrals as fast as possible.

 

The St Vincent’s Hospital Post-Acute and Long COVID Clinic will see patients aged over 16 years that are recovering from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 viral infection (positive RAT or PCR) but are still experiencing significant symptoms at least four weeks from the date of positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.

These symptoms may include:

• breathlessness - at rest or with minimal exertion
• chest pain
• a productive cough
• poor sleep or
• terrible fatigue.

The rehabilitation team will review patients aged over 16 years with persisting symptoms of COVID-19 infection and experiencing a functional decline that impacts activities of daily living and return to work. The symptoms targeted in this clinic will be fatigue, brain fog and other cognitive changes and other non-pulmonary symptoms of long COVID.

Our medical specialists are supported by a multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals, including physiotherapy and psychologist, to provide holistic assessment and care.

Priority will be given to patients previously admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital or cared for by St Vincent's Virtual (at home) Care. Still, outside referrals with a valid GP referral can also be seen, particularly if symptoms are severe and there have been more than three months since the acute COVID-19 illness. 

How to refer

All patients require a referral form from their GP or treating specialist. Please forward this letter to svhs.longcovid@svha.org.au

There are two pathways for referral depending on the clinical needs of the patient:

1. If the patient has persistent respiratory issues - please refer to Dr Emma Stumbles
2. If the patient has ongoing functional/rehab concerns - please refer to Dr Morgan Hee.

We ask that the referring physician arranges a Chest X-Ray (PA and lateral) and the following blood tests prior to the patient's first appointment.

Please see below pathology requests 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

Tailoring your care 

Once we receive the completed online referral from your GP or specialist, a member of our Long COVID Clinic team will contact you to coordinate your care. During the discussion, you will also be asked to participate in an online screening tool (Yorkshire Rehabilitation Screening Tool). The screening tool helps us understand how you have been affected since your COVID illness. 

 

You will receive a link via text message or email to complete the online screening tool following your consent.

Please fill in the screening tool before your clinic appointment. It will take 5 – 10 minutes to complete.

Then, your clinician will be able to review your results and plan for your treatment.

For more information about how patient surveys can make a difference in your care, please watch this short video.