Hutt virus testing goes mobile
Two hired campervans are being used for what is thought to be the country’s first mobile coronavirus testing station, travelling to people who may have the virus but struggle to leave their homes.
The campervans are part of the community-based assessment centre in the Hutt Valley, usually a stationary van with nurses and doctors administering the test for Covid-19.
But Silverstream GP and medical director of Te Awakairangi Health Network, Kim Hurst, said there was concern that travelling to a stationary centre was either not possible or required risky public transport for some Hutt Valley residents.
‘‘The last thing we want people who might be sick to be doing is jumping on public transport or getting an Uber.’’
As far as she was aware they were the first mobile stations in the country.
The mobile service started on Friday and, by Saturday afternoon, had done 10 tests. The vans are used for transporting equipment and staff, with the tests conducted in people’s homes.
She said the focus was on people who don’t have access to a car, are immobile, mental health patients, or solo parents.
‘‘When you are referred to a CBAC [assessment centre], we will talk through with you how and where you can be assessed and swabbed, including whether we need to assess you at home.’’
Hurst is an ex-military doctor from the United Kingdom, with experience in Kosovo, Morocco, and Kenya with the Royal Air Force. ‘‘The thing that translates is identifying where there are people who need medical support, and finding a solution to get help to them.’’
A team of three use the van, visiting patients that have already been referred
by GPs and take between one and two days.Vanessa Cameron, team leader of practice liaison and a registered nurse, said she had visited people from mental health patients to solo mums.
‘‘The actual time it takes to do the swab is the quick part,’’ she said. ‘‘We have to make sure we’ve got all the first details, then the doctor or the nurse in full PPE will go in and do the swab.’’
Because they were visiting marginalised members of society, they tended to talk to people a lot about their wellbeing. One of the best things was the positive reactions from the community, she said.
‘‘We were out on the side of the road in our PPE, and someone was driving past in their car, and they stopped and wound down the window and said, ‘Thank you so much for everything you’re doing’.’’
Te Awakairangi began swabbing on March 16, and the first assessment centre opened on March 23, testing 18 people on the first day.
The Ministry of Health, through the DHBs, supported setting up the centres. The ministry also directed that mobile testing centres be set-up to reach vulnerable population, like those in residential care, in some communities.