August 23, 2022
The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) will shut down all its free COVID-19 testing centres on September 2.
DDHHS announced the closures on Tuesday.
“After providing COVID-19 testing services across the Health Service, often seven days a week for over two years, Darling Downs Health COVID-19 testing sites will close at 4:00pm on September 2, 2022,” a spokesperson said.
The free public test centres have been in operation since mid-March 2020.
The main testing centre at Toowoomba’s Baillie Henderson Hospital conducted over 170,699 tests, and regional testing centres processed a further 247,321 tests during the same period.
DDHHS Acting Chief Executive Shirley-Anne Gardiner praised the efforts of staff to keep the community safe and informed through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To look back now and see the speed at which we developed this testing capability is really a testament to the hard work and selflessness of our staff,” Ms Gardiner said
“We were dealing with a new virus and amidst the uncertainties of the last two years, these testing sites were able to provide accurate and timely information to our Public Health teams and residents about COVID-19 within the community.”
Acting Executive Lead, Health Emergency Operation Centre Michelle Forrest said the testing sites had been a success in detecting and suppressing COVID-19 in the community, but the response to the virus was now changing.
“Large scale testing was incredibly effective but it has served its time,” Ms Forrest said.
“During 2020 and up until December 2021, suppression of COVID-19 was key to ensuring the safety of people in the community, and testing sites like ours really enabled that.
“The response to the virus will continue to change, especially as people choose to use rapid antigen tests themselves and private pathology capability increases. The decision to close the service is another step in our transition to new ways of living with the virus.”
While the testing sites will close from September 2, there is still time for the community to visit a site and receive a test.
From September 3, people who need access to a COVID-19 test should conduct a rapid antigen test, visit a Commonwealth Respiratory Clinic or contact their GP to arrange a referral to a private pathology provider.
Eligible concession card holders can access free RAT kits at Queensland Health distribution points.
Footnote: As at August 23, Queensland Health report that there have been 26,472 cases of COVID-19 in the DDHHS region – 20 of them currently active. The virus has also led to the deaths of 127 DDHHS residents.
