Port Lincoln’s Investigator Clinic offers telehealth only consults to unvaccinated patients

A rural GP will largely ban unvaccinated patients from visiting its clinic in a move the Australian Medical Association says many doctors are considering.

Unvaccinated patients will only be able to book telehealth consults at a rural GP in a move the Australian Medical Association says many doctors are considering.

Investigator Clinic in Port Lincoln – one of only three medical practices in the town – took to its Facebook page to announce the new protocol.

Unvaccinated patients will now only be able to book telehealth appointments. It will be at the doctor’s discretion to decide if a follow-up face-to-face consult is “necessary” and that will be conducted in a dedicated treatment room.

“To protect our patients and staff we have made some changes to the way we manage our appointments for vaccinated and unvaccinated patients,” Investigator Clinic said.

“We want to make it clear that we are offering appointments for all people, vaccinated or otherwise, we are just managing those appointments in a different way.”

The clinic’s vaccinated patients have the option to choose between a face-to-face appointment or a telehealth appointment.

Investigator Clinic at Port Lincoln. Picture: Micaela Stark

Patients have taken to a Port Lincoln community Facebook page to vent their anguish.

“Can’t go to Investigator Clinic unless I’m double vaccinated by 24 November – was just notified when I tried to make an appointment,” a Facebook member said.

“Anyone who has appointments after this date who are not vaccinated may need to book somewhere else.

“I have been going to this clinic since I was nine years old and I’m a little disappointed.”

The post quickly gained traction from other members.

“Absolutely disgusting,” said another Facebook user.

AMA state president Dr Michelle Atchison said many GPs had been considering a similar move.

She has written to members to issue legal advice on the issue.

“While keeping in mind a doctor’s ethical responsibility to our patients, our legal advice recommends that to minimise the risk of legal action on the basis of discrimination, a practice should exercise extreme caution in implementing a ‘blanket rule’ and instead consider (and be seen to consider) each case individually,” she said.

“The legal advice recommends that you should make every practical and reasonable effort to find a way to care for a patient who is unvaccinated.”

This would include telehealth consultations.

Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton warned any move by doctors to cut face-to-face visits could see a flood of people to hospital EDs.

“Our public hospitals are already facing a ramping crisis – it would be a disaster,” he said.