A dedicated walk-in clinic for COVID-19 positive patients opened in Garran on Monday – and as COVID-19 case numbers rise in the ACT, there will be an increased need for such a service, Canberra Health Services (CHS) say.

Set up to provide in-person support, advice, and interventions for people who have tested positive, the clinic also treats non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses unrelated to a COVID diagnosis, such as cuts and abrasions, strains and sprains, bites and stings, and infections and wounds.

The clinic operates from the northern end of the COVID-19 Surge Centre on Garran Oval; the testing clinic at the southern end is separate.

There was a steady stream of patients on the clinic’s first day, with a mix of care needs.  By 5pm on Monday, 17 patients had presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, or respiratory symptoms.

“The first day went really well,” said clinical nurse educator, Kate Dwyer. “We’ve had some patients who were very grateful that the service has been opened.

“The staff are really pleased to be able to support those in the community who have tested positive for COVID-19. It’s nice to give them a place to come, feel safe, and that we can feel safe in treating them as well.”

CHS expect demand could rise as case numbers surge, from dozens a week at the moment to many times that at the peak of the outbreak.

“Providing a dedicated pathway for in-person care of COVID-19 patients will help the individual patients, as well as helping to prevent the further spread of the virus,” a spokesperson said.

“It will prevent some COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms from presenting to our emergency departments, and provide others with an opportunity to access care they may otherwise have postponed.”

There may be a flow-on effect on the number of COVID-19 positive patients visiting GPs or pharmacies, but this was not the aim of setting up the clinic, the CHS spokesperson explained. Many GPs will be able to care for their COVID positive patients by telehealth.

“This clinic is another way of accessing care if you are unable to access your health care provider,” the spokesperson said.

CHS anticipate demand for COVID-19 testing clinics will reduce once Canberrans understand they no longer need a PCR test to confirm a positive rapid antigen test result.

The new Garran COVID clinic is staffed by CHS members from the Inner North Walk-in Centre, which has been temporarily closed.

CHS thanked the team members caring for COVID-19 patients in need at the new clinic.

The clinic is open seven days a week from 7.30am to 10pm. No appointment is needed for this free service.