A leading Melbourne doctor has taken to swabbing patients for coronavirus in their cars amid fears GPs are ill-equipped to deal with a potential outbreak.

Altona North GP Mukesh Haikerwal said his busy clinic was down to just five protective masks and doctors needed more support, both with equipment and guidance.

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal has taken to swabbing patients for COVID-19 in their cars amid fears GPs are ill-equipped to deal with a potential coronavirus outbreak. Credit:Jason South

"We've taken to doing all possible COVID-19 cases via video consult," he said.

"Our patients have been great ... they ring ahead and when they get here they notify us, they're then asked to park around the back of the clinic and we're able to hook them up to a video link via phone, PC or whatever they have."