ANZAC Day, April 25, is an important day for all of us fortunate enough to call Australia home. It is a day that we as a nation express our gratitude to the servicemen and women who served our country in war and peacekeeping.

While COVID-19 has transformed the way we will commemorate the day, it won’t stop us from paying tribute to those who deserve our recognition.

This Saturday, at 6.00 am, our people will join our fellow Australians, as we stand at the end of our driveways or on our balconies in remembrance of the service and sacrifice. For it is they who made this “the lucky country.” Our sites will not be open on this day as we pay our respects.

Lest we forget.

Thank you to our radiologists, sonographers, radiographers and support staff for their dedication in recent weeks. Every member of our team has shown us agility and passion in a time of change and uncertainty.

As COVID-19 arrived in Australia, Synergy Radiology wasted no time to implement heightened safety measures in accordance with government standards. To protect both our team and our patients, we have; staff performing triage prior to anyone entering sites, implemented social distancing measures, rolled out safety screens for reception staff and increased the number of hygiene stations and protocols. The new business as usual is a remarkable demonstration of staff cohesion to protect the health of patients and ensure we provide our services in a safe environment.

Like many in the industry, our team’s dedication to delivering our essential health services was despite a minimal supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). As a Group, we have resolved this industry-wide issue for the time being. We will continue to work with our key suppliers and government for stock.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation which we are continually assessing. The foundational value driving Synergy Radiology through this health emergency remains as it was at inception, family. So at this time, we have made the vital decision to modify our opening hours, providing our team with the opportunity to increase time with their loved ones.

Please stay safe. Again, we thank you radiologists, sonographers, radiographers and practice staff.

Less than two months have passed since Australia’s horrifying bushfire season, which saw both great heroism and patriotism as we stood together and battled our way through a national emergency. For months we choked in the smoke of the fires, feeling helpless as we watched our country burn. It seems only a few moments have passed of which to catch a breath, and we no longer stand together in the fight for our lives, but rather in the unfamiliar form of warfare through isolation.

In these uncertain times amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, authorities doing the best they can with the limited information as it becomes available, advise a new paradigm for the identity of Australians. This includes social distancing, prohibiting the customary handshake and closing public areas for social expression, including pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and spiritual houses. Those flaunting non-compliance forcing more salt in the wounds, provoking the closure of some of our most iconic beaches. As we quickly drift towards a crashing wave of pandemic proportions.

Mass hysteria has led to understocked supermarkets (and outhouses for that matter) and the fundamental ritual of sanitising or sudsing up hands is now enjoyed after all occasions keeping you busy for seemingly hours each day (if you are lucky enough to have a supply of soap that is). But to top it all off, the all Australian saying of “She’ll be right mate!” is no longer the socially acceptable way to handle feeling under the weather, you’re expected to crawl under a rock for two weeks and hope there is still a good (healthy) Samaritan or UberEATS driver around to drop in vital supplies.

So how do you know if the symptoms you’re feeling are indications of Coronavirus, the Flu or if it’s the everyday run of the mill cold?

We think this infographic put together by the Department of Health (and adapted by us) is a great way to differentiate between the symptoms of each and may save an unnecessary trip to the closest COVID-19 clinic.

We hope this information provides some understanding of how the virus’ presents and we’re just a phone call away to provide you with a suitable course of action in these times of uncertainty. If you’re feeling unwell or unsure if your symptoms could be the sign of something more serious, please contact your local Qualitas Health general practice to book a consult with one of our GP’s.

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