Providing a comprehensive trauma treatment service on the Mornington Peninsula

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

We are aware that the Government roadmap for returning to a post-COVID "normal" is now being implemented in the community, however, we are awaiting advice from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as to when we will be able to return to face-to-face sessions, for our existing clients, with some COVID restrictions in place.

In accordance with the current Government recommendations and Australian Psychological Society (APS) advice, the wearing of a surgical face mask whilst in the building and during appointments is required, however, telehealth appointments will also continue to be available.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Centre is operating at full capacity and we are currently unable to accept any new referrals however this position may change. We are reviewing the situation on a regular basis.

Responding to COVID-19 together

Dear Clients and Referrers, In these unprecedented times I wanted to reach out to all of you to let you know how the Psychology, Trauma, & Mindfulness Centre will be supporting you, our team, and our community during this time of uncertainty.

To our dear Clients,
It is a priority for us here at PTMC to do whatever it takes to continue to provide you with the ongoing support, contact and treatment you may need throughout this period.

We are committed to protecting our more vulnerable clients from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, and to keep our team as well as possible so we can continue to be there for you. Within the Centre we are all working to reduce exposure through social distancing and increased hygiene measures.

Our Admin and reception staff are still available as always to address your enquiries, arrange appointments and help out with any questions you might have about how to access and use telephone and telehealth sessions. All our Psychologists are still able to attend the Centre to talk to you from their rooms as usual - many of you will recognise the pictures and trinkets you have become so familiar with in the background. In the event that any of our Psychologists are required to self-isolate for a time, we are well prepared to support them to continue to provide telehealth/telephone sessions from their home offices.

To our Referrers,
We recognise that as a front-line health provider the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be a challenging time for your practice, and that your workload may have increased significantly. We want to assure you that we are here to assist any patients you have referred to us for treatment - whether recently, or in the past – and who have already attended treatment sessions with us. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Centre is operating at full capacity and we are currently unable to accept any new referrals however this position may change. We are reviewing the situation on a regular basis.

We understand that this is an uncertain, challenging and anxiety-provoking time for many of us - but don’t forget that our PTMC community is an exceptional one – and we will get through this together.

With warmth and solidarity,
Margaret

Dr Margaret Walker Director

 My office and staff are taking the following precautions to protect our clients and help slow the spread of the coronavirus

• seating in the therapy rooms has been arranged for appropriate physical distancing
• my staff and I wear surgical grade level-3 face masks
• my staff maintain safe distancing
• bathroom soap dispensers and paper towel levels are maintained and everyone is encouraged to wash their hands
• hand sanitiser that contains at least 75% alcohol is available in the therapy rooms, reception are, QR check in station
• we schedule appointments at specific intervals to minimise the risk of client overlap
• we ask all clients to wait in their cars or outside and arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before their appointment times
• we ask all clients to phone reception upon arrival to complete the client Covid checklist, make payment and book future appointments
• physical contact is not permitted
• tissues and rubbish bins are easily accessible
• rubbish is disposed of on a frequent basis
• common areas are thoroughly disinfected at the end of each day
• air purifiers in each therapy room
• new surgical grade level-3 face masks will be provided to clients prior to entering the Centre
• disposal of PPE in accordance with EPA and Victorian Government recommendations
• access to the Centre is restricted to clients attending appointments only