❓ A Member of Parliament questioned the Minister for Health regarding PCR testing availability in Geraldton, specifically concerning operating hours, access on a specific date, and protocols for directing patients. The Minister provided details on testing locations and hours, and defended the emergency department's role in testing.
AnsweredQoN 78Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — PCR
TESTING — GERALDTON
78. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to an email sent to the
minister on Saturday, 19 February 2022 relating to the difficulty in obtaining
PCR testing in Geraldton.
(1) What are the locations and
operating hours for PCR testing in Geraldton?
(2) Was a COVID-19
testing clinic open at Geraldton Health Campus on Saturday, 19 February; and,
if so, during what times?
(3) Did Geraldton
Health Campus staff direct a suspected COVID-19 positive patient to attend the
emergency department instead of a COVID-19 testing location? If so, is this in
line with COVID-19 protocols for Geraldton Health Campus?
(4) What action
has the minister or her department taken to ensure that patient received a PCR
test and result in a timely manner?
TESTING — GERALDTON
78. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to an email sent to the
minister on Saturday, 19 February 2022 relating to the difficulty in obtaining
PCR testing in Geraldton.
(1) What are the locations and
operating hours for PCR testing in Geraldton?
(2) Was a COVID-19
testing clinic open at Geraldton Health Campus on Saturday, 19 February; and,
if so, during what times?
(3) Did Geraldton
Health Campus staff direct a suspected COVID-19 positive patient to attend the
emergency department instead of a COVID-19 testing location? If so, is this in
line with COVID-19 protocols for Geraldton Health Campus?
(4) What action
has the minister or her department taken to ensure that patient received a PCR
test and result in a timely manner?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) A COVID-19
testing facility is located on the Geraldton Health Campus and is normally open
from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm seven days a week. Testing at the Geraldton hospital
is available via the emergency department, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Batavia Health Geraldton is a primary care facility that also provides a respiratory
clinic seven days a week.
(2) The COVID-19
testing facility was open from 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm on Saturday, 19 February and
testing was available 24/7 in the Geraldton hospital emergency department.
(3) The Geraldton hospital emergency department is an
appropriate testing location. The testing facility operates alongside the emergency department and is not a 24/7
facility. It is designed to complement the emergency department by
diverting testing away from the emergency department during key hours.
(4) The patient
will have received a test and subsequent turnaround time relevant to their
clinical and epidemiological factors.
of the question.
(1) A COVID-19
testing facility is located on the Geraldton Health Campus and is normally open
from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm seven days a week. Testing at the Geraldton hospital
is available via the emergency department, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Batavia Health Geraldton is a primary care facility that also provides a respiratory
clinic seven days a week.
(2) The COVID-19
testing facility was open from 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm on Saturday, 19 February and
testing was available 24/7 in the Geraldton hospital emergency department.
(3) The Geraldton hospital emergency department is an
appropriate testing location. The testing facility operates alongside the emergency department and is not a 24/7
facility. It is designed to complement the emergency department by
diverting testing away from the emergency department during key hours.
(4) The patient
will have received a test and subsequent turnaround time relevant to their
clinical and epidemiological factors.
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