?How the hell are we supposed to manage this??: GPs in NSW left scrambling after new Covid order

GPs in New South Wales have been left scrambling less than a week before Christmas after the state health department told them they will now be responsible for the management of Covid patients in the community.

On Friday NSW Health informed GPs through the state's 10 primary health networks that there is a new state-wide approach for the management of low-risk Covid-positive patients, effective immediately. It comes as NSW Covid cases spiral with a record 3,763 new infections on Wednesday.

Each region of NSW is managed by a different primary health network, which collaborate with general practitioners and other health professionals to support and manage the health workforce, and to provide care to patients in that region.

A directive sent to health workers from the Nepean Blue Mountains primary health network said low-risk Covid-19 patients "will be 'self-managed' and will receive information via SMS from NSW Health about managing any mild symptoms".

"NSW Health has announced that from today there will be a new state-wide approach for the management of low-risk Covid-19 positive patients," the statement said.

"Patients who have been identified to self-manage at home will be advised to contact their GP or a dedicated Covid-19 service for an initial assessment and continued care."

"Patients who are self-managed will require a GP to complete their de-isolation."