To help protect you and our staff against infectious illnesses which could spread easily in the practice, including Covid-19 as well as the flu, common colds, and other illnesses. It allows us to triage every person before they enter the practice.
We have vulnerable patients coming into our clinic who could become severely unwell if they catch something in our waiting room or clinical rooms. We also have some vulnerable staff.
We still have people come to our door with infectious symptoms and without calling us beforehand. Our locked door prevents people moving freely around the waiting room before they are triaged, especially if the receptionist is busy with other patients.
Unfortunately we have also had a few instances recently of members of the public coming to our door and using intimidating behaviour towards patients and staff, so keeping our door locked is also a matter of safety in this respect.
Our clinicians cannot come in to work if they catch an infectious illness, which directly impacts on your ability as our patient to obtain healthcare.
We know some of our patients are frustrated with the door still being locked – but we appreciate a few moments of patience from you for the sake of others’ health and safety.
We have had our front door locked for quite a number of years now, since the first cases of Covid-19 reached Aotearoa NZ. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of isolating and maintaining distance from others when you are unwell to avoid spreading infectious illnesses. Many other practices now have respiratory cabins or other similar setups for the same purpose.
Having our front door permanently locked allows us to triage all people visiting the practice for respiratory symptoms before they enter, and to therefore ensure appropriate precautions are in place for seeing those with symptoms.*
*Precautions may include:
ensuring you are wearing a mask
ensuring you have had a negative RAT result that same day
ensuring the clinician is aware of your symptoms and has the opportunity to put on whichever level of PPE they feel is most appropriate
ensuring our isolation room is available if needed
seating you in a space separate from the main waiting room
However, if you have attended an appointment in-person without previously disclosing your respiratory symptoms to us, you may be asked to return home for a phone consultation if your clinician does not feel appropriate precautions have or can be taken.
