Mt Druitt Hospital: COVID-19 test clinic to be opened next week

A campaign to see a COVID-19 testing clinic set up at a busy Sydney hospital has finally been won, weeks after the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised concerns.

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A battle cry by vital hospital staff calling for the NSW Government to install a COVID-19 testing clinic in Western Sydney has been answered following a community campaign.

The Penrith Press can reveal a specially built COVID-19 screening and testing clinic will be opened to the public as early as next week at Mt Druitt Hospital — weeks after the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association called for specialist testing facilities to be provided.

A COVID-19 pop up testing clinic will open in Mt Druitt next week following a NewsLocal campaign. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals general manager, Ned Katrib, told The Press the Western Sydney Local health District was working with the Primary Health Network to open a COVID-19 facility at Mt Druitt early next week.

Latest NSW Health statistics revealed the Western Sydney Local Health District has already conducted more than 12,000 tests and confirmed 191 cases of coronavirus as of March 31.

“The clinic will be open to the public and will include culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Katrib said.

Coronavirus clinic signage at Nepean Hospital.

“The clinic will aim to operate seven days a week — staffing levels and operating hours will be finalised soon.”

It is understood representatives of the Western Sydney Primary Health Network will staff the new facility.

“Mount Druitt Hospital has been screening and testing patients for COVID-19 through the

emergency department following well established infection control protocols,” Mr Katrib said.

NSW Health is set the receive $700 million from the NSW Government’s $2.3 billion health boost and economic stimulus package — rolled out to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.

Primary Health Network staff will conduct the tests. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

Mr Katrib said the funding will more than double the state’s ICU capacity, while supporting the purchase additional ventilators and medical equipment, and establishing additional acute respiratory clinics.