THE vaccination capacity at Swan Hill District Health’s Acute Respiratory Assessment Clinic can increase, with COVID-19 testing making a move to a drive-through service.
Since the SHDH Respiratory Clinic began operating on March 22, almost 2500 vaccines have been administered at the High Street clinic.
Executive director of medical services at SHDH, Rex Prabhu, said on the first day of the McCallum Street service, on Thursday, 38 people were tested across two hours.
“The weather delayed things, and staff had to support people getting used to using a QR code to register their details,” Mr Prabhu said.
“However our service capability has improved such that we can upstage swabbing as per need (increase hours as required).”
The Guardian journalist, Lucy Williams, was one of the people who was tested – she returned a negative result.
“I think the staff have all been super professional and lovely,” Ms Williams said while she waited.
“With the limited resources in regional areas the wait is longer, but I understand staff can’t do anything about that and they’re doing the best they can.”
Her wait time was two hours.
Mr Abraham said establishing the drive-through service was a “herculean effort” by the team at SHDH, working in conjunction with VicRoads, Swan Hill Rural City Council and Swan Hill police to provide the service.
Mr Abraham said following the first day of the clinic, tests averaged 18 tests daily.
Mr Abraham said the move enabled the clinic to increase the number of hours per day available to undertake vaccinations, which means the average number of tests per day has increased from 80 to 120.
SHDH is just one of the health services in Swan Hill to conduct COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
COVID-19 testing:
McCallum Street, outside the Showground Office (between Stradbroke Avenue and High Street roundabouts) from 2pm to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays.
COVID-19 vaccinations:
28 High Street, Swan Hill, from 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday.
