Scott Morrison’s clinical reaction to coronavirus

Cabinet has approved a $2.4bn medical response to the coronavirus outbreak that will include more than 100 fever clinics across the country.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt, left, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, right, say the medical response is critical in trying to get ahead of the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: AAP

Cabinet has approved a $2.4bn medical response to the corona­virus outbreak that will include more than 100 fever clinics rolled out across the country and allow people experiencing symptoms to stay home and charge GP audio and video calls to Medicare.

The emergency health package will be in addition to the multi-­billion-dollar economic stimulus package which was approved by cabinet on Tuesday night and is expected to be announced on Thursday.

The government is facing pressure to deliver a significant package to provide an immediate boost to support the economy, which is being buffeted by the coronavirus and financial market volatility.

The Australian understands that a significant part of the medical response will be directed at the aged-care sector, as the elderly are most vulnerable to ­severe or fatal illness from COVID-19.

The funding package will also go towards enhancing the national medical stockpile and furthering vaccine research, but will include the $500m already announced to support the extra costs imposed on the health system from the coronavirus outbreak.

Scott Morrison said the medical response was critical in trying to get ahead of the spread of the virus and treat those who had contracted it. “We’re ensuring our health system is well prepared and has the resources it needs for our fight against coronavirus,” the Prime Minister said. “Australia isn’t immune but with this $2.4bn boost we’re as well prepared as any country in the world.”

The government will also roll out a $30m national information campaign across television, radio, print and digital platforms in a further bid to stem the contagion in the community.

The move comes after Labor made its first significant policy intervention during the coronavirus outbreak by calling for measures to give people more up-to-date information on the outbreak, more home tests and a ramped-up public awareness campaign.

The 100 “pop-up respiratory clinics” in the government’s package are forecast to cost $205m and will be equipped to test up to 75 people a day over the next six months in a bid to ease pressure on emergency wards and the hospital system, amid fears it will be overwhelmed with cases and people concerned they have the virus.

The pop-up centres will be in addition to state-run clinics and staffed by GPs and nurses.

They are aimed at diverting people away from the public health system, except in extreme cases, and reducing the spread of the virus.

Primary Health Networks will be offered up to $300,000 to identify locations and help set up the clinics and practices across ­regional, rural and urban areas. The bulk-billed telehealth ­service will begin on Friday. It will commission doctors, nurses and mental health practitioners to ­deliver coronavirus-related consultations through video conferences, including through services such as FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp.

The service would be open for people in self-isolation or quarantine, those aged over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, those with underlying lung conditions, new parents and women who are pregnant.

The Health Department contacted all GPs on Tuesday night to inform them of the new service, which will initially run for six months at a cost of $100m.

Other measures will be revealed on Wednesday by Mr ­Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt.

“We’re ensuring our health system is well prepared and has the resources it needs for our fight against coronavirus,” Mr Morrison said. “Our medical experts have been preparing for an event like this for years and this is the next step up in Australia’s plan.

“Our government, alongside the country’s leading medical ­experts, is working around the clock to ensure we have the right tools, information and resources to keep Australians safe.”

Mr Hunt said the emergency measures were vital to try to slow the spread of the virus.

“The government is ensuring the capacity of our health system to effectively assess, diagnose and treat people with COVID-19 in a way that minimises spread of the disease in the community,” the Health Minister said. “We are ensuring people can access essential care in a way that reduces their potential exposure to infection. This includes support for telehealth, primary care and medical supplies.”

The $30m communication campaign — due to start within days — will ensure factual and timely information is provided to the public and help with “market research and tracking” to guide the development of the media blitz.

The Australian understands the government will announce further initiatives on Wednesday to help the vulnerable aged-care sector respond to the COVID-19 threat.

The sector has already identified a range of priority issues including training for the workforce on infection-control practices; the provision of adequate supplies to staff such as masks, gloves and hand wash; easy access to the latest recommendations from the Health Department; and screening procedures for visitors, staff and contractors and facilities.

An emergency forum of aged-care providers, consumer and worker representatives, bureaucrats and state governments met Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck last Friday to discuss how to protect residents and workers from the spread of the virus.