Brisbane northside residents kept waiting more than three days for Covid-19 test results

A frontline worker is among a host of Brisbane northside residents who have waited more than three days for test results.

A frontline health worker is among a slew of Brisbane northside residents waiting on Covid-19 test results, some for more than three days with no end in sight.

Residents took to social media to vent their anger and concern over the testing facilities at South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale.

The drive-through service at 620 South Pine Road is currently run by Genomics for Life.

The healthcare worker, who didn’t want to be named, said she attended the clinic first on Sunday, August 1 after developing a sore throat and a headache.

“I am fully vaccinated as the majority of my family but as I had a shift, I called in sick and went to get tested,” she said.

“I have previously used this site (Brendale) when we had exposure once before … our family waited two hours and through.

“So (I) didn’t see anything wrong with using facility again.

“(I) went in at 11.30am on Sunday and joined the line that started at the entrance to the sports complex.”

South Pine Sports Complex, Brendale. Picture: Supplied.

From there the woman was forced to wait for six hours with 25 cars in front and behind.

She was then asked to leave and return on Monday, August 2.

“ I explained I was a frontline health worker with symptoms (and) I would like to get tested,” the woman said.

The health worker said there were also concerning scenes around safety for the testers.

She says the staff on site were ill equipped.

“The face shield was fogging up so they removed it,” she said.

“I reminded the tester they should be protecting themselves (and) they said I will just stand away.

“I asked is there any safety goggles like used in the hospital and the person said no.

“As I left I reminded them to protect themselves and get the correct equipment.”

She says the staff need to be better supported and have access to PPE.

After waiting several days the worker emailed and phoned Genomics for Life to try to obtain her results.

“ I emailed them with my details asking for a rapid on mine as I was feeling better and would like to return to work,” she said.

“I received the message via email I would receive by Thursday close of business.”

Brisbane northside residents are frustrated after waiting several days for test results. File Picture: Gaye Gerard

And she’s not the only one left wondering.

An Eatons Hill mother said the wait for her and her son was around two hours.

“They were not forthcoming with any information, I had to ask,” she said.

They did say 24 to 72 hours (but) I didn‘t think it would be this long otherwise I would have gone somewhere else and had my results by now.

“I can’t go anywhere. I can’t return to work and my son can’t go back to school until we get them.

“I can't fault the staff doing their job down there, but if I was told the results would have been faster elsewhere I would have had more choices.”

Genomics for Life were contacted for comment.