Alice Springs Pathology Department playing a critical role during COVID-19

Though theirs may not be the first profession that springs to mind when considering the essential workers who have supported Central Australia through the coronavirus pandemic, the team at the Alice Springs Pathology Department have played a critical role in protecting the health and safety of all Territorians.

Alice Springs Hospital Pathology Department microbiology supervising scientist James McLeod and laboratory manager David Hallett with the unit used to process coronavirus tests. Picture: EMMA MURRAY

Though theirs may not be the first profession that springs to mind when considering the essential workers who have supported Central Australia through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the team at the Alice Springs Pathology Department have nonetheless played a critical role in protecting the health and safety of all Territorians.

Working up to seven days a week, the pandemic presented the team of 32 scientists with daily challenges, overcome all while honouring their commitment to their existing duties.

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“During COVID-19 and at the peak of the pandemic, all of the swabs from the entire Central Australian region were channelled through this laboratory,” Alice Springs Pathology Department laboratory manager David Hallett said. Initially sending COVID-19 related swabs to Darwin anywhere up to twice a day, seven days a week, Mr Hallett said flight cancellations – from 13 to three times a week – meant effective inter-agency collaboration and communication was crucial to maintaining testing pathways.

“We transport routine pathology to South Australia and Perth as well,” Mr Hallett explained.

“A big part of our work is in testing for renal dialysis and all the acute care work in the hospital has pathology testing done also.

Alice Springs Hospital Pathology Department microbiology supervising scientist James McLeod with the unit used to process coronavirus tests. Picture: EMMA MURRAY

“So we worked with transport and the NT Government, as well as TNT and TOLL who were all amazing, and we managed to maintain a regular delivery service.”

Describing his team as “very responsive, resilient and willing to help,” Mr Hallett said being able to represent Central Australia and his team as part of Territory pathology during the pandemic had been a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally.

“It’s just been a massive undertaking in terms of communication and keeping in the loop and I would say that Central Australia has done extremely well,” he said.

“That was my impression earlier on and still is.”