Six members of the Australian Defence Force have been deployed to help assist nursing staff at Central Highland Rural Health's COVID-19 screening clinic in Kyneton.
The Respiratory Assessment Clinic is one of two clinics operated by Central Highlands Rural Health. The other clinic is in Daylesford.
Since opening at the beginning of April, Kyneton Health’s Respiratory Assessment Clinic has tested over 8,500 patients for the coronavirus. The clinic is currently open every day between 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Central Highlands Rural Health’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Phil Catterson has welcomed the support of the Australian Defence Force personnel, giving nursing staff an opportunity to catch their breath from the demanding workload.
“Every day, we have three to four nurses swabbing, four to six nurses on the phones booking appointments and our administration staff supporting the clinic with patient records. This is on top of an already busy Acute Ward and Urgent Care Centre.”
“The numbers in the clinic are increasing daily – last week we saw an average of 160 patients each day. This kind of workload can take its toll so we’re very grateful that the ADF team have come to assist our nursing team. We can roster in some much-needed days off for our nurses,” Mr Catterson said.
ADF officers will help with swabbing patients and triaging those calling to make an appointment for testing. The ADF personnel have medical, nursing and clinical skills and will be in Kyneton for the next two weeks.
Central Highlands Rural Health continues to offer appointments for testing in both Kyneton and Daylesford for those with symptoms of COVID-19 or as directed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Patients are asked to call ahead to book in and secure an appointment time.
For Daylesford, please call 03 5321 6654 (8:30am - 4pm)
For Kyneton, please call 03 5422 9900 (8.30am - 4:30pm)
