About our infectious disease service
Our Immunology and Infectious Diseases Unit (the Unit) is a combined service with a multidisciplinary team of medical, nursing, social work, dietitians and pharmacy staff.
The Unit offers services in immunology, infectious diseases and HIV medicine. Our infectious disease services include:
- specialist infectious diseases consultancy
- home IV antibiotic service
- Q-fever clinics and travel medicine advice.
Infectious diseases support is also provided to the viral hepatitis and sexual health services.
In this section you can find useful health information, tips, and news for parents, medical practitioners, and students in Hunter New England LHD.
Learn more about infectious diseases and the latest infectious disease alerts in NSW.
Out and About Intravenous therapy service
Out and About is an intravenous (IV) therapy service that allows patients to receive their IV treatment in the comfort of their home.
Patients must be considered well enough to be managed at home to access this service. Most patients will receive their IV treatment through a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) or an implantable port.
The treatment course is usually from 1 to 6 weeks in duration, depending on the infection being treated. Patients are admitted to the service by infectious diseases specialists. The antibiotic therapy and all the IV equipment are provided by the service.
Some patients are visited daily by community nurses who administer their IV medication. The remainder of patients and families are taught to self-administer. All patients are reviewed by their medical specialist at least once per week and are contacted daily by the Out and About nursing staff.
There is 24-hour on-call nursing and medical team support for patients at home should any problems arise.
Sexual health services
Services and support programs for sexual health and HIV are available. Learn more about sexual health services in Hunter New England.
Public Health Unit service contact
Hunter New England Population Health monitor public health alerts for health emergencies, including:
- disease outbreaks
- pandemics
- storm events
- earthquakes
- bushfires
The Public Health Unit are responsible for managing and controlling infectious diseases. Call 1300 066 055 to connect to your local Public Health Unit.
The Public Health Unit in Hunter New England LHD is in Tamworth.
Tamworth Public Health Unit
Phone: (02) 6764 8000 (during business hours)
Fax: (02) 4924 5704 (secure line)
After hours:(02) 9382 2222 (Public Health Officer on call)
Postal address: Locked Mail Bag 10, Wallsend NSW 2287
Hunter New England facility outbreaks
Report on respiratory and gastroenteritis outbreaks in aged care and disability care facilities.
Outbreak resources
While these resources are designed for residential care and childcare facilities, you can use them to develop your own disease outbreak plan.
Infections are common in children and often lead to illness. Learn more about stopping the spread of childhood infections.
Gastroenteritis outbreaks
- Gastro in childcare centres - When should I be worried? Resource for Directors
- Gastroenteritis - controlling viral outbreaks in childcare centres and schools
- How to look after children with gastroenteritis
- How to report a gastroenteritis outbreak in a childcare centre
Respiratory outbreaks
Other
Contact Hunter New England LHD
We welcome your questions, feedback, compliments, and information requests. Contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you. Your input is important to us.
Find an infectious disease service
Use our Service Directory to find a health service near you.