Amidst the national lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government has encouraged allied healthcare providers to remain open with many of these being essential community services capable of alleviating pressure from the public health system. 

In his national address on Tuesday night, it was emphasised by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that “health-related services in those areas, physiotherapists, things of that nature, health-related and allied health services remain open and are not subject to the new restrictions.” 

Hospitals and doctors are already under immense pressure tackling respiratory symptoms during the coronavirus outbreak but with thousands of other health problems among Australians continuing, these allied health companies are vital in playing a role to alleviate pressure from the public health system. 

Healthia (ASX: HLA)

With the Prime Minister explicitly singling out physiotherapists in his national address, Healthia operates a network of 42 physiotherapy clinics, 13 hand therapy clinics, and 81 podiatry clinics. 

Now is not the time to be taking up time at your general practitioners office with physical aches and pains which is why Healthia’s national network of clinicians will play a vital role in maintaining physical health amongst Australians through this pandemic.

The majority of Healthia’s allied healthcare services are covered by private health insurance and the Company has announced that all clinics within their network remain open at the encouragement of the Government and health professionals, but with stringent measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

You can view a research note provided by Emerald Financial about Healthia here.

*Owners of this website are shareholders in a company mentioned in this article and have been engaged by them to assist in investor communications

Capitol Health (ASX: CAJ) 

Capitol Health is a diagnostics imaging company which provides crucial ancillary services to medical practitioners with their core business centering around radiology, X-Rays and MRIs. 

The company has 63 clinics located across Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania, and has an acquisitions pipeline in process to continue growing their network over the next 3 years. 

Capitol Health undertakes more than 1.2 million procedures each year and with their network of clinics being suburban-based, the company prioritise their service as one which takes pressure off the hospitals system which is critical to Australia ‘flattening the curve’ through the coronavirus pandemic. 

The company is yet to make any ASX announcement regarding COVID-19 and their operations, which would suggest it is business as normal.

1300 Smiles (ASX: ONT)

1300 Smiles owns and operates dental clinics in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland by providing facilities to self-employed dentists who run their own dental practices. 

Dentists then pay fees to 1300 Smiles for the use of these services and marketing but dental remains a key allied healthcare service which Australians cannot go without during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The company had been in process of rapid expansion when last year in the mix to acquire Maven Dental and its 116 dental practices across Australia before falling short in their bid but will continue its aim of consolidating the Australian dental industry with the goal of being Australia’s leading dental brand by 2021.