Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We are closely monitoring developments across the various states and territories in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
We will keep you updated as the public health situation continues to evolve.
If you are a healthcare professional, head to our COVID-19 Healthcare Professional’s page.
Please also regularly check this page for updates on our service delivery.
[Current as at 28 September 2020]In this section
As with all health facilities, we are constantly updating our service delivery to reflect the advice and guidelines of the World Health Organisation and the Australian federal and state and territory governments.
We are open and available to assist you with your questions and appointments. We have moved our support office to working from home; so we may take longer to answer your calls, we appreciate your patience.
Elective procedures
Abortion is an essential service and is a Category 1 service. We will continue to provide abortion services throughout this pandemic.
We can now offer vasectomy and standalone sedation contraception appointments in all states and territories. Each state and territory has different guidelines about when we resume activity at full capacity. For the latest updates head to the Federal Government's COVID-19 page.
Victoria restrictions
COVID-19 test before surgical appointments
We want to ensure that everyone who comes to our clinics feels safe, so in line with infection control requirements for Victorian health facilities, clients in Victoria booking for a:
- surgical abortion
- vasectomy
- contraception with IV sedation
will be asked to have a COVID-19 test prior to your appointment. We will provide details of where and how you can access this test when you book.
A full and up to date list of testing sites may be found on DHHS COVID-19 site. You will need to bring your test results or SMS results with you on the day.
Please note: if you require an urgent surgical procedure and cannot access a test prior to your appointment, please contact us to discuss your particular circumstances.
Before your appointment
Wearing masks in our clinic
For New South Wales and Victorian clients:
As per recent state government regulations and recommendations, all clients who are coming to our clinics in New South Wales or Victoria must wear a face mask. All of our staff will also be wearing masks.
For people in NSW: please try to bring your own mask (surgical or cloth masks can be used). If you’re unable to access a mask we will provide masks in clinic.
For people in VIC: it is a requirement to wear a mask outside of your house.
Note - As per Victorian Government guidelines, from October 12 you must wear a fitted mask whenever you are outside. You cannot wear face shields or bandanas etc. For more information, head to the DHHS website.
Until recently, most of us would have never known there was a right way way to wear a mask. To give yourself the best chance at preventing the spread of COVID-19, make sure you're wearing your mask correctly. For more information about masks, click here.
Screening questions
When you contact us for a booking, we will ask some simple screening questions and take your temperature to make sure we are giving you the most up-to-date information and connecting you to the right service.
Support person
We are asking that you do not bring your support person into our clinic with you. We know that having a support person with you is helpful, however, we need to be able to practice physical distancing, which is critical to reduce the risk of infection.
This is a temporary but very important arrangement to keep our staff and clients safe.
Support people may only enter the clinic if:
- They are a legal guardian or parent of a minor
- They are a medical power of attorney
- They are a support worker, such as a social worker, a mental health worker or a physical disability support.
Any support person attending the clinic with you will also be asked routine screening questions and have their temperature taken.
You can still have a support person with you outside of the clinic. Here are some alternatives to help with this temporary measure:
- You are welcome to wait outside or in the car with your support person until your appointment.
- Please note that you will need to let reception know you have arrived for your appointment. You will then be screened.
- Once you have gone through the screening process you are welcome to wait with your support person outside or in the car.
- We will call you for your appointment and procedure.
- Your support person cannot physically accompany you for this but you can have them on the phone for part of the consultation and before the procedure.
- Please remember to bring your headphones so that you can talk to your support person as you are preparing for your procedure.
- After your procedure we will take you outside to your support person.
We know that this is an uncertain time for you. However it is important that we maintain physical distancing for your safety, your support person’s safety and the safety of all our clients and staff.
If you are a support person and would like some advice on how you can help your loved one, here is a guide to help you provide emotion support
Interstate travel
If you have to travel interstate to access abortion services, it is important that you are are aware of the current restrictions, and how to apply for exemptions. Click on each State and Territory for information on their current travel regulations: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia.
Please note that by making an interstate booking you accept that you have confirmation from the state health departments that you can travel for the purposes of accessing healthcare. This should include any state you are travelling from, to or through. Please acknowledge that the situation or advice may change at short notice.
We know that this is a very stressful time for everyone, and there is a lot of information going around. Here are some counselling and support services.
Counselling and support services
There are several counselling and support services who you can contact for help during this time.
- 1800 Respect is a confidential online and telephone counselling, information and referral service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is for those experiencing the impacts of sexual assault, domestic and family violence. Victims of sexual assault, domestic and family violence, as well as their family and friends, can call 1800RESPECT or visit their website.
- Relationships Australia offers services around the country that include counselling, family dispute mediation and a range of family and community support and education programs. You can call them on 1300 364 277 or visit their website.
- Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can call them on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
- Men’s line is a free telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. Their counsellors specialise in family and relationship issues, including relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, parenting, family violence, suicide prevention and emotional well-being. You can call then on 1300 78 99 78 or visit their website.
If you would like the latest information about COVID-19 including the symptoms and how to keep you and your loved ones safe, you we recommend you visit the World Health Organisation website.
If you would like to know more about the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Australia, we recommend you visit the Australian Government COVID-19 pages.
For people living with a disability, head to Women with Disabilities Australia for some great resources.
If you would translated COVID resources, click here.
In this section
These are unprecedented times. To ensure you feel confident in how to protect yourself and others, we have listed some resources that can help you.
COVID-19 information on Prompt
We have multiple COVID-19 resources on Prompt - please search by name and &/or COVID-19.
Information on face masks in the community
Until recenetly, some of us didn't even know there was a right way way to wear a mask. To give yourself the best chance at preventing the spread of COVID-19, make sure you're wearing your mask correctly.
For general information on face masks in the community click here.
For some FAQs on wearing a mask at MSA click here.
For information on how to wear a fabric mask, watch this video.
You can wear fabric masks to and from work, but not in our clinics. Surgical masks are available at every clinic.
Hand hygiene
The World Health Organisation has produced several resources for how to wash and rub your hands effectively.
Infographic courtesy of healthdirect.
State and Territory contacts where you can find current information
The Australian Comission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare also has multiple resources.
For translated COVID resources, click here.
Looking after your mental health
It's more important than ever to look after yourself, but it can be hard to know what to do.
Healthdirect, part of the Australian Department of Health, has produced this resource with some handy tips for ways to help with your mental health.
Healthdirect has set up a 24 hour health advice line (1800 022 222) and you can also call the National Coronavirus Helpline (1800 020 080). For more resources, click here.
If you would like to speak to our EAP, our provider Benestar offers a confidential service and bookings can be made on 1300 360 364. This service is available 24/7.
Webinars
Our EAP, Benestar, has created the following webinars:
- Supporting children through a COVID-19 lockdown
- Maintaining a nutritious diet during lockdown
- Taking back control - Managing burnout, fatigue and self-care during a COVID-19 lockdown.
If you are worried you may have COVID-19, please head to the COVID-19 Symptom Checker. It is an online tool to help you figure out if you need to seek medical help.
