After months of not knowing whether his N95 masks were the correct fit, a Victorian GP discovered one of the brands he had sourced potentially left him vulnerable to infection.

As a result, Dr Ern Chang is urging other doctors to pay for their own fit-testing after trying without luck since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to drum up testing for local GPs.

The Geelong-based GP first approached his primary health network (PHN) and the infectious diseases unit of the local public hospital in early March, requesting mask fit-testing for the area’s GPs.

But as the months dragged on and nothing was arranged, Dr Chang jumped at the chance for a private mask fitting with an occupational health expert this week, generously paid for by a neighbouring practice.