Mount Gambier Covid-19 testing clinic staff stage walkout as wait-times hit up to three hours

SA Health has refused to confirm an organised staff walkout at a busy Covid testing clinic, as swamped workers downed tools as wait times exceeded operating hours.

As pre-emptive Covid-19 testing ramps up and lockdowns batter the nation thanks to the latest outbreak, SA Health has refused to confirm a staff walkout at a busy testing clinic.

The Mount Gambier Showgrounds clinic was inundated on Monday and Tuesday with people turned away at around 3.30pm both days as wait times exceeded operating hours.

The Public Service Association of SA has confirmed staff decided to leave on time on Tuesday and co-ordinated not to turn up the next day.

SA Pathology responded quickly, immediately bringing in staff to cover Wednesday’s shifts and found a solution for staff concerns with PSA Assistant General Secretary Natasha Brown saying while its response to the pandemic has been world leading, it was critical staff were supported.

The Mount Gambier COVID-19 testing clinic is currently experiencing a high demand of testing, with wait times exceeding operating hours. The clinic will re-open at 9.00am 29 June 2021.

— SA Health (@SAHealth) June 28, 2021

“We are aware of a brief staffing shortage earlier this week but understand that SA Pathology reacted quickly to address the issue,” Ms Brown said.

“It’s imperative that the state government doesn’t drop the ball on resourcing our response to the pandemic.

“SA Pathology must be properly funded to ensure that at all times they have the necessary staff to keep South Australians safe.”

When contacted about the incident, SA Health provided a statement from Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) asking for patience as staff work to organise logistics and provide testing to the community.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Mount Gambier Covid-19 testing clinic was temporarily closed (Wednesday) morning,” the statement said.

“The clinic is now reopen and operating as normal.

“(On Wednesday) we saw large numbers of people present for testing as a result of new restrictions, and we provided support to SA Pathology staff to ensure testing was available to members of the community.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, keep the community updated with any changes and adjust operating hours at our clinics according to demand, where possible.”

The Mount Gambier COVID-19 testing clinic is currently experiencing a high demand of testing, with wait times exceeding operating hours. The clinic will re-open at 9.00am 30 June 2021.

— SA Health (@SAHealth) June 29, 2021

SA Health also provide a statement from SA Pathology explaining the clinic was currently experiencing high demand due to new Victorian border testing requirements and restrictions.

“SA Pathology is introducing a number of measures to manage this increase including additional staff and more efficient processes for staff,” the statement said.

“We appreciate the patience of members of the community during this time and thank the community for their support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We thank our staff for their hard work and continued contribution to keeping the South Australian community safe.”

One family, visiting from Melbourne, expected to spend three hours in line early Tuesday afternoon.

School holidays have put pressure on the Mount Gambier Showground Covid-19 testing clinic. Picture: Jessica Ball

“We are from Victoria so a part of our conditions of entry was to get a Covid test in the first 24 hours,” mum Vanessa said.

“We have no problems getting tested because we feel grateful to be allowed to come in but we probably didn’t expect it to take so long.”

The family checked they had not been to any tier 1 or 2 exposure sites before departing on a school holiday trip to Port MacDonnell but the mum said she wished she had packed the iPads, a book, more snacks and some water for the dog.

“The kids had never been to South Australia before so they thought it was great fun crossing the border and we want to go see the sinkholes, we’ll do some of the touristy things and some relaxing days,” she said.

LCLHN chief executive Ngaire Buchanan said it was dealing with large numbers across testing sites with 250 people tested at the clinic on Monday and 195 on Saturday.

“With these new changes, it is expected that we will continue to see high numbers of people present for testing during the next few weeks,” Ms Buchnan said on Tuesday.

Those waiting in the Mount Gambier Showground Covid-19 testing clinic line predicting a 2 to 3 hour wait. Picture: Jessica Ball

Ms Buchnan said wait times had varied across the testing clinics and reminded people they could also attend the Millicent Hospital and Naracoorte Respiratory clinic.

The testing delays come as data reveals Mount Gambier’s Covid vaccination rates are lagging behind the state average.

While 22.5 per cent of South Australian adults have received their first dose, Mount Gambier’s postcodes 5290 and 5921, are at 21.77 and 11.01 per cent respectively.

Across the South East, Coonawarra is leading the charged with 70.46 per cent of its 132 residents receiving dose one, followed by Robe at 42.88, Kingston SE 38.66 and Millicent 32.39.

Regional postcodes of Keith, 15.11 and Mount Burr 16.86, per cent are among the lowest in the state.

SA Health’s chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier said vaccination was “one of the most important tools in our fight against this sneaky virus”.

“Now more than ever we need all South Australians to roll up and get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, no matter where they live,” Prof Spurrier said.

“Borders are no barricade for COVID-19. This virus is moving like a wildfire and as we’ve seen recently, it can quickly get out of control.”