Six Australian Defence Force officers have been deployed to help assist nurses at Kyneton Health’s COVID-19 respiratory screening clinic.
Officers will help with swabbing patients and triaging people calling to make an appointment for testing.
The officers have medical, nursing and clinical skills and will be in Kyneton for the next two weeks.
Central Highlands Rural Health’s deputy chief executive Phil Catterson said the additional support would give nurses an opportunity to catch a 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,” he said.
“This is on top of an already busy acute ward and urgent care centre.”
Mr Catterson said more individuals were making the trip to the Kyneton respiratory clinic to get tested.
“The numbers in the clinic are increasing daily,” he said.
“Last week we saw an average of 160 patients each day.
“This kind of workload can take its toll so we are very grateful that the Australian Defence Force team have come to assist our nursing team.”
Since the clinic’s opening at the beginning of April, nurses have tested more than 8500 individuals for coronavirus.
The clinic is open seven days a week. Bookings are required.
Details: 5422 9900
