COVID-19 Information

CURRENT SITUATION

Auckland in Level 2 and the rest of NZ in Level 1

Alert Level 2: Audiology services can provide in-person appointments only if additional precautions are in place to maximise patient and staff safety.

See full information below.

Audiological Services at Alert Level 1

Alert Level 1: Prepare

In Alert Level 1 audiology services can return to normal with the following recommendations:

• Enable contact tracing e.g. NZ COVID-19 tracer app.
• Discouraging patients to attend appointments when they are sick e.g. screening
  prior to appointment, public messaging
• Good infection prevention control measures are in place such as frequent hand washing and cleaning
• Physical distancing is not required but is encouraged where possible

Audiological Services at Alert Level 2

Alert Level 2: Reduce

COVID-19 is still out there - Play it safe

At Alert Level 2, health and disability services can operate normally, provided they implement additional practices and meet the Ministry of Health’s requirements for reducing the risk of transmission and keeping us safe. The Ministry of Health is still recommending that telehealth services be provided where appropriate and necessary but in the main Audiology clinics can provide many of their usual services.

Operating at Alert Level 2, Audiology services will be implementing the following practices

• Risk assessment and screening for potential COVID-19 infection of all people coming into clinics
  
  
• Good hygiene and infection control practices including use of PPE as deemed necessary
  
  
• Physical distancing – keeping people 1 – 2 metres apart
  
  
• Recording contact details of people visiting the clinic to support contact tracing if necessary

Screening prior to entering an Audiology clinic is an important infection control measure. If you are deemed to be a possible risk your clinician may ask you to postpone your appointment until the risk has passed. They may also suggest you contact your GP or Healthline for further information. If you develop any symptoms or feel unwell prior to attending your appointment, please contact the clinic. You may be asked to re-schedule.

Your clinician may wear some form of PPE – such as surgical masks and gloves. Your clinician will determine whether the use of masks and gloves is required based on their clinical assessment and the risk screening you completed prior to the appointment. The best evidence to date does not indicate that masks are required if there is no risk of COVID-19 and the procedure being undertaken does not require more than 15 minutes of close contact (closer than 1 metre). If you have any concerns, please feel free to discuss this with your clinician.

Masks may make communication a little more difficult. If your clinician is using a mask, please do not hesitate to ask your clinician to repeat and clarify anything you do not hear properly.

Contact tracing is one of the foundations of managing transmission of the COVID-19 virus and you can expect that you and any support person coming to the appointment with you will be asked to provide contact details to enable this to happen should it be necessary.

If you have any specific questions, please contact your service provider for further information.

Audiological Services at Alert Level 3

Alert Level 3: Restrict

Stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community

Under Alert Level 3 some face-to-face appointments may be provided for urgent care appointments, but only so long as clinicians can take appropriate measures to manage public health risks. Clinicians are expected to use a high level of clinical judgement when considering whether a patient meets the urgent criteria for a face-to-face consultation.