Nurses abused at testing and vaccination clinics in Queensland

Queenslanders have been warned the abuse of nurses at testing and vaccination sites ‘must stop’ as wait times balloon across the state.

Abuse has been hurled at nurses at Covid-19 testing and vaccine clinics across Queensland as the state battles an outbreak of local cases.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has called for the abuse to stop in a fiery press conference on Thursday morning.

Thousands of people swarmed testing clinics this week after an outbreak that caused a three-day lockdown across multiple parts of the state.

Waits of up to 12 hours were reported in Townsville with more than 29,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours in Queensland, while more than 18,000 vaccinations were delivered on Wednesday, which was a record for the state.

People at the Magnetic Island Health Service Centre waiting for testing. Picture: Supplied

But Ms D’Ath said tempers flared as nurses did their best to accommodate the massive demand for both swabs or inoculations.

Police told drivers they would be turned away from a Covid-19 testing clinic in Townsville, as queues stretched for kilometres on Wednesday.

“We ask the public to be respectful to our staff who are working tirelessly to get Queenslanders vaccinated, and whether it’s testing staff or vaccination,” Ms D’Ath said.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath calls for calm in the wake of nurses being abused. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“We are so grateful for our health workers and what they are doing each and every day.

“They don’t deserve any abuse in the roles that they’re undertaking.

“We know people are anxious, we know people want to get tested and vaccinated, we respect that, but we also want you to respect our workforce and what they are doing to keep us safe.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, while not apologising for the long queues and people having to wait hours in line for a test, said they were working to improve clinic wait times.

“I do understand that there has been some long queues … we’re trying to get to people as quickly as possible,” she told reporters in a heated press conference.

“Everyone is trying to do the right thing here.”

A massive line of vehicles as they queue for Covid testing in Townsville.

Footage showed queues of vehicles stretching for kilometres, with some wait times estimated to be several hours, after a tourist travelled through the region while infected with Covid-19.

Police stationed seven police at the clinics to ensure all drivers complied with the law and acted orderly, Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said on Wednesday.

Motorists swarmed upon 1300 Smiles Stadium on Wednesday morning.

“We are seeing extra people go (and get tested) and we appreciate that they’re doing what the chief health officer wanted,” Superintendent Hanlon said.

“We’ve got about seven police there … it’s about making sure that we have the right management and traffic safety plan in place.

“We understand people may get frustrated – be patient.”