"Efficient processes"

I recently visited Perth and had cold symptoms whilst staying there for a week. I thought I should do the right thing and go and get a COVID screen done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, especially as my spouse was visiting their sick elderly parent at a hospital and I would hate to think that I might spread something to them.

I had heard from other people at the caravan park that had also been to Fiona Stanley for swabs after returning from the east and their description of the process was quite concerning as they said that many people from many backgrounds were in the queue, some with symptoms, though no one was given a mask and the wait was long.

My experience was also concerning. The car park is quite away from the clinic. As I walked down I could see that there were 4 gowned nurses outside and 3 marquees set up. There was no one waiting outside so I assumed that the testing would be quick and in the marquee area. As I am from the country, I also had to bring my little dog and either take her with me or leave her in the car. The nurses told me that I would have to go inside for swabs and that it would take at least half an hour (I am not sure what the need for 4 nurses outside if they were not swabbing or processing). I asked why they could not do it right there or if there was a drive-through service. They said that most people that came through were unwell and therefore needed to go inside for full registration and a proper assessment. I said I could not go inside or wait that long due to the dog being with me, they then told me to go and look elsewhere for a drive-through clinic.

To the best of my knowledge, if you have even mild symptoms, it is recommended to be tested, especially if you are in contact with elderly people and hospitals. So I was puzzled when they said they really only have unwell people come through the clinic. I still had a sore throat and running nose and headache. Due to the lengthy process, I decided to leave and not have the test done.

The country town that I am from provides a very easy drive-through service. We simply contact a local doctor or the hospital, they take our details over the phone and it is all entered into the system before we come. We are told when to come to the hospital, drive in and let them know we are in the car park, drive through, have some observations taken and swabs attended. I believe the process takes all of 5 minutes for the patient and the contact with other people and staff is minimal. All-round, seems to be a good system in my opinion.

When I returned to my car at Fiona Stanley Hospital I had to go to the ticket machine, and along the way needed to talk to more people. I looked at the car park area and wondered why the marquees were not set up in the undercover parking area where people can be processed and assessed on the way in and then swabbed on the way out. I believe there would be no need to get out of the car, and minimal contact with other people. After all isn't that the aim when it comes to COVID screening and protection, to minimise contact with other people?