Health staff across Dubbo are under "incredible pressure", and have been for almost two years, and now's not the time to take out any COVID-19 related frustrations on those front line workers who deserve our "respect and gratitude".
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That's the warning Western NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Mark Spittal has issued to people across the region following a number of reports of staff at various COVID-19 testing locations copping abuse.
Mr Spittal said delays to test results are around the 72 hour mark following an increase in demand, adding in some cases that time frame will be even longer.
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But he said that delay doesn't give people in the community the right to abuse staff simply doing their job.
"That is not acceptable," Mr Spittal fired.
We understand that's frustrating but I guarantee you that the person ... is only trying to help
- Western NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Mark Spittal
"If you are waiting for a result, don't call the health service where you were tested - the staff there can't make your results come back any faster and people abusing them isn't going to change that.
"We all wish it could be faster than (the 72 hours) but right now there is a peak in demand that all service providers are doing their best to keep pace with."
He urged those interacting with the staff at the health district to show patience, respect and know that they're doing the "absolute best job they can" given the growing demands of the pandemic.
As of the latest reporting period in the Western NSW LHD to 8pm on Wednesday, there was 65 new cases of COVID-19 and one hospitalisation. That daily case number is a record for the region.
"We are all facing a difficult Christmas ... we have seen a number of hot spots pop up, and with that increasing transmission comes an increasing number of people needing and wanting to be tested," he added.
He said people wanting to travel who needed a negative test result to do so should allow sufficient time to get those results back.
"We understand that's frustrating but I guarantee you that the person in front of you in the hospital, or who answered the phone when you called, is only trying to help. Do not take your frustration out on them," he said.
Mr Spittal reiterated his message from earlier in the day that the key message around the Christmas and New Year holiday is to be prepared, and not take unnecessary risks.
"Plan ahead, be prepared ... and if you do receive a message asking you to contact NSW Health, don't ignore it. COVID-19 is a dangerous illness and we need you to make contact so we can assess the risk to you and to others," he said.
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