Coronavirus: Local Help Is At Hand

THERE is lots of information coming out about the coronavirus pandemic, but it can be hard to understand how that translates to us in Scone.

The Scone Medical Practice has formed a group to help coordinate a local community response, keep you up to date and explain what this means for you and our community.

The initial team consists of:

• Dr Richard Abbott, who has been a GP in Scone for 37 years and knows the community well;
• Dr Tammy Kimpton, also a local GP who is keen to mobilise a local pandemic response;
• Sue Abbott, who has a background in nursing, law, journalism and has a business which organises professional development for emergency doctors;
• Lee Watts, who has worked in community services for more than 30 years and is the manager of the Scone Neighbourhood Centre;
• Elizabeth Flaherty, is a journalist and has background in health crisis management, including pandemic planning.

Planning the local response: Dr Larissa Burke, Lee Watts, Dr Richard Abbott, Sue Abbott and Elizabeth Flaherty.

Other doctors and community representatives will be added as the planning and response progresses.

Sue Abbott said she saw a real need for a local community response.

“We are looking at directives from state and federal health and the practicalities of that means for you and our community, because it is different in every community,” said Ms Abbott.

“We want to talk to community groups and the range of people in our community, to help address their concerns and find local solutions,” she said.

“People need to know that they are not going to be abandoned living in Scone and they need to be fully informed and we will be here to help,” she said.

“The wonderful thing about living in a small community, is that people pull together and rally when it is needed.

“People are community minded and come up with great ideas,” she said.

“We will be putting out information daily and questions can be sent through to coronavirus@scone.com.au,” Sue Abbott said.

If you have local questions about the coronavirus please email: coronavirus@scone.com.au and we will source the best local information.

Related stories:

• Can You Help A Neighbour? – March 20, 2020.
• Call To Suspend Medical Certificates – March 19, 2020.
• Coronavirus: Self-Isolating In Scone – March 19, 2020.
• Coronavirus: The Curve and Testing Explained – March 18, 2020.
• Coronavirus: Some Questions Answered – March 18, 2020.