PCR TESTING — GERALDTON
103. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to instances of regional
residents in Geraldton and Yalgoo being unable to access polymerase chain
reaction testing in recent days.
(1) Why was a COVID-19
testing clinic in Geraldton closed for several hours on Saturday morning when
it should have been open?
(2) Will the
minister commit to an urgent review of testing locations in regional WA to
ensure PCR testing is accessible to Western Australians who need it in a timely
manner?
(3) Will the
minister commit to publish an up-to-date list of testing locations on a central
website so regional residents can easily locate their nearest available testing
location?
(4) What action is the state
government taking to ensure PCR testing is accessible in regional WA?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The COVID-19
testing facility at Geraldton Health Campus was closed between 10.00 am and
12.30 pm on Saturday, 19 February 2022 due to staff availability. Throughout
this period, testing remained available at the emergency department.
(2) WA Country
Health Service has COVID testing available at all sites. Rapid antigen tests
are now an acceptable diagnostic tool and should be used when PCR testing is
not practicable.
(3) The most up-to-date regional
testing locations are published on healthywa.wa.gov.au
(4) WA Country Health Service has
COVID testing available at all sites.