As part of the current state-wide health response to COVID-19, Mater is closely working with Queensland Health to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and visitors.
At this stage there is no change to our current activity or service delivery. Mater continues to operate at full capacity with no disruption to any urgent or scheduled services. Elective surgery and patient appointments are continuing as previously planned. We greatly appreciate your understanding of these latest changes and cooperation as we work together to keep one another safe.
Please see below for the following updates and restrictions as directed by the Chief Health Officer.
Outpatient/patient appointments
Outpatient/patient appointments are continuing as planned. We will continue to offer telehealth appointments for patients where appropriate and re-introduce face to face appointments based on clinical need. We will be in touch to confirm your appointment one week before the available date.
If you are required to attend the clinic for your appointment, we ask that you:
- arrive at the time of your appointment
- maintain the appropriate social distance from staff and other patients
- you consider coming alone, or with only essential others.
We respect that you may like to have a support person with you for some consultations. Given the need to adhere to social distancing, you may bring one support person with you. If you have any additional questions about your appointment, please contact the outpatient clinic on 07 3163 3000.
Elective Surgery
Elective surgery is continuing as planned in line with State and Territory government guidelines. If you are on the wait list for sugery at Mater, you will be contacted in due course with your appointment.
Your health and wellbeing continues to be our number one priority and we have put in some additional measures in line with social distancing requirements to ensure your safety during this period. This includes:
• spacing of appointments to minimise the number of people within the clinic at any one time
• social distancing measures throughout common areas
• regular wipe-downs of common touch-points
• availability of hand sanitiser for all patients upon arrival and during their time on-site
• and the wearing of appropriate protective equipment for our clinical staff.
Visitor restrictions
To help mitigate the risks of spreading COVID-19 following community transmission, Queensland Health has introduced new measures to keep our most vulnerable safe.
From 6 am Thursday 15 April 2021 visitors restrictions will be lifted across all Mater Hospitals. PLease refer to hospital pages for visiting hours.
For more information on the Queensland Government announcements, visit their website.
Mask wearing at Mater
Surgical face masks are no longer required to be worn by healthcare workers, patients and visitors across all of our hospitals in Queensland.
However, you are encouraged to wear a mask and wear it wherever you cannot socially distance.
- Surgical face masks will be made available to everyone upon entry to our hospitals.
- Mater staff are able to assist with safely putting on masks and any concerns you may have.
- Masks should be changed when they become damaged, soiled or wet; never be reapplied after they have been removed, and, should not be left dangling around the neck.
- If wearing a mask, avoid touching/adjusting the front wherever possible and practise frequent and thorough hand hygiene at all times.
COVID-19 testing: How and where to get tested
You can view the full list of your nearest COVID-19 testing clinic here, or visit your nearest Mater Pathology COVID-19 collection centre. However please note, a referral from your clinician is required for testing at a Mater Pathology Collection Centre..
Testing criteria
Queensland Health has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 testing and will now test people who have any COVID-19 symptoms including: fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.
If you meet the testing criteria, please visit your nearest Fever Clinic or contact your doctor immediately. Before your appointment, please call ahead and advise of your symptoms and any recent travel so that they can prepare for your visit.
Testing process
Testing for COVID-19 involves collecting nasal or throat swabs, and sputum (mucus coughed up). These samples are then transferred to the nearest laboratory that is set up to test for COVID-19. After testing, you will be sent home to self-quarantine to wait for the results.