Lyell McEwin Hospital, Muna Paendi Clinic

In reply to Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (9 September 2020).

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised:

In March 2020, the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) Critical Care discussed with Watto Purrunna Aboriginal leadership group strategies to improve access to essential COVID-19 testing for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the northern suburbs. In the spirit of reconciliation, Muna Paiendi was highlighted as a potential site to facilitate COVID-19 testing.

It was during this due diligence process that NALHN received a request on 9 March 2020, from the Department for Health and Wellbeing public health team to expedite the opening of the state's second COVID-19 testing clinic. The clinic was opened later that day. The 9 March 2020 was a public holiday; therefore, Aboriginal consumers and stakeholders were informed and consulted on the next business day.

During the temporary relocation of Muna Paiendi, services were relocated from the Elizabeth Vale site at Lyell McEwin Hospital to other Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Primary Health Care sites at Maringga Turtpandi at Hillcrest and Wonggangga Turtpandi at Port Adelaide, to ensure continuity of service delivery.

Resources were aligned and an Aboriginal driver was allocated to the northern suburbs, as well as additional taxis funded, to transport our Aboriginal consumers from the Muna Paiendi catchment area to the Aboriginal health sites at Hillcrest and Port Adelaide. Telehealth services were also increased.

The NALHN Aboriginal Consumer Reference Group was kept informed and is consulted on an ongoing basis.

No impact on clinical care was reported.

In consultation with the NALHN Aboriginal Consumer Reference Group and following a Kaurna welcome to country and smoking ceremony, the new COVID-19 testing site was commissioned at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, and full services resumed at Muna Paiendi on Monday 6 July 2020.