GP says extreme lockdown is costing patients’ lives
Melbourne-based Dr Nicola Doyle says it's time to focus on COVID-19 mortality rates, rather than case numbers, after seeing a rise in suicides and delayed cancer diagnoses
As Melbourne enters its fourth week of extreme lockdown, it’s not COVID-19 that has GP Dr Nicola Doyle most worried.
The doctor, from Niddrie in the city’s northwest, is focused on patients with mental health issues, who account for most of her telehealth consults.
Recently, a youngster in the area took their own life in response to the lockdown, tipped over the edge after losing his job and hope.
“I’m almost more concerned about the government response than the virus itself,” Dr Doyle tells 6minutes.
