Testing capacity increased

In the past month, on average more than 900 tests a week have been carried out by Bass Coast Health. This is a huge increase on several hundred a week earlier in the pandemic.

The capacity of the new drive-through test site in Wonthaggi has been upgraded twice to respond to demand.
The upgrades include an additional lane and better shelter for staff and Bass Coast Health CEO, Jan Child said some processes have been refined.

“There are now two lanes and testing can accommodate people in six cars at once during peak times,” said Ms Child.

“We have had positive feedback and we add resources where we need to.”

She said all medical and Division 1 nursing staff were able to perform the COVID-19 swabs, which meant tests could be done in the emergency department and wards, as well as at the testing clinics.

“There is a core group of staff who are working at both the Urgent Care Centre and the testing tent, but other staff can be quickly brought in as the need arises.”

The rising demand for tests has seen an increase in waiting times, with Ms Child confirming the average waiting time was around one hour. She said Monash Pathology had increased their processing capacity and generally people received their test results within two to three days.

Ms Child said several factors were influencing the increased demand for tests.

“The testing numbers fluctuate and can be influenced by what is happening in the community that day. When social media reports local cases, or when there is a local school or business affected, our numbers naturally rise,” she said.

“There is also an increase based on rules changing, such as testing for all elective surgical patients.”

With DHHS currently reporting three active cases in the region, the BCH Infection Control team has expanded to the equivalent of three full-time staff.

“Our Infection Control Nurse has been the key point of contact for all positive and active cases that have been tested at BCH, and BCH has assisted with identifying and following up with close contacts until the DHHS tracing team is available,” Ms Child said.

“This ensures that all local cases are proactively supported and isolated. All communication with positive cases is undertaken in liaison with DHHS who have the primary role of contact tracing.”

Ms Child said the team was also following up people who have had other illnesses such as Influenza and ensuring people are phoned with their test results.

She said the increased demands from the pandemic had significantly increased staff workloads.

“BCH staff have been extremely busy, not just with the preparation for the pandemic where the guidance is changing regularly and most work processes have had to change many times; but with the increased demand – it’s been generally busy.

“The good thing is that people have not stopped coming in for care like we experienced in the first phase, and we have added resources so that staff are coping with the additional workload,” she said.

She said some staff were concerned about their health and the health of their families and the change back to remote learning for schools was an added pressure for staff with families.

“Most are just keen to see a light at the end of this long tunnel and are doing the best they can to support one another.”

Anyone with even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms is urged to get tested and self-isolate until they receive their results.