Queensland Health fail to respond to questions about COVID wait times in North

Queensland Health has ignored questions about how an increased demand in COVID-19 testing will be tackled in Townsville.

• Moondarga Horse and Pony Club in Kelso hit by vandals
• Townsville crime: Cops run off their feed with number of serious incidents

UPDATE, TUESDAY JANUARY 5:

QUEENSLAND Health has ignored inquiries about how an increased demand in COVID testing will be tackled in Townsville.

The state health department told the Townsville Bulletinthat if it wants answers to questions about the response in demand, a journalist should ask the chief health officer at a scheduled press conference – in Brisbane.

The Bulletinasked the department how it would respond locally to an increase in wait times at fever testing clinics, which blew out to over three hours over the weekend.

Questions addressed the number of tests conducted locally, how demand is expected to rise and whether that would lead to more clinics being opened.

chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young speaking at a press conference. Pics Tara Croser.

Concerns were also raised about whether long queues deterred locals.

A spokeswoman from the Media and Issues Team told The Bulletina media conference would be held in Brisbane at 2pm on Monday.

“We recommend you, or a representative ask these questions at the press conference as Dr Young will be present and able to address them then,” she said.

Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young addressed issues in the South East, with the announcement of more staff, more clinics and extended opening times on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

It was unclear whether North Queensland could expect the same.

Dr Young explained COVID testing queues blew out over the weekend because half of all testing was usually done by the private practice, which shut down over the Christmas period.

Katter Australian Party’s state Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto said telling Townsville based media to attend a Brisbane press conference is typical of a Brisbane centric Government.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said Townsville deserved answers. Picture: Supplied

“We have seen questions specific to Townsville and North Queensland shrugged off,” he said.

“I was appalled but not surprised to hear that important questions regarding COVID Testing wait times in Townsville had gone unanswered.

“Townsville deserves answers.”

Queensland has 17 active cases after recording five new cases on Monday, with all of those acquired overseas.

Nearly 6300 tests were conducted on Sunday.

Statistics provided to The Bulletin late on Monday afternoon showed 56,765 tests have been conducted in Townsville as of December 30.

The number of tests conducted rose to 57,367 as of Saturday.

The number of tests performed in the past three days was requested.

INITIAL REPORT, MONDAY JANUARY 4:

THERE are reports motorists are facing waiting times of over three hours to get tested at Townsville’s COVID-19 fever clinics.

The delays, also experienced statewide, follow advice urging anyone who had been in Victoria since December 21 to get tested.

A visit to the Reid Park testing clinic at midday Monday saw vehicles lined up through the Civic Centre carpark and spilling onto Boundary Street.

A line-up of vehicles was seen at the Reid Park Covid testing clinic in Townsville on Monday. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

A handful of motorists could be seen reversing and leaving the queue, leading to concerns people are being discouraged by long lines.

Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the private sector has today reopened all of their fever clinics and the commonwealth has stood up “most” of their funded and run clinics.

Additional clinics have been opened in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, with staff numbers also increased, however there was no mention of further services in regional Queensland.

“There has been some queues developed over the weekend and I thank those people who persevered and got themselves tested,” she said.

“I recommend people go onto the website and look at where their clinics are because we see people preferentially choose one or two clinics.

“There may be lengthy queues at one clinic and no queues at another clinic.”

It comes as Queensland has recorded five new cases of coronavirus overnight.

All cases were acquired overseas and detected in hotel quarantine, bringing the state’s total of active cases to 17.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted early on Monday that almost 6300 tests were conducted in Queensland in the past 24 hours.

Queensland Health have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Queensland Health fail to respond to questions about COVID wait times in North