COVID-19 testing clinics for South Coast and KI
Posted March 19, 2020
Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has welcomed the State Government's decision to set up COVID-19 testing centres in more regional centres, including Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island.
"I'm really pleased the Health Minister Stephen Wade has recognised our call for more clinics in our community," Rebekha said.
"When I heard that only Mount Barker Hospital had set up a walk-in clinic, I immediately wrote to the Minister because the same service needed to be provided to other regional areas.
"People who are sick shouldn't have to travel great distances to get tested. It puts everyone at unnecessary risk.
"If you live in Victor Harbor, it's a 70km drive to the clinic at the Mount Barker Hospital and a 75km drive to the nearest metropolitan testing site at Flinders Hospital and that is an unacceptable distance for South Coast residents to drive or use what limited public transport is available to them.
"Having the clinic at the South Coast District Hospital will ease pressure on the hospital’s relatively small regional emergency department and relieve some of the concerns of our community at this anxious time.
“We understand a clinic will be set up at Kingscote in the coming days. Kangaroo Island had even less access to testing clinics on the mainland so that's welcome news."
