LABOR is calling for a third COVID-19 testing centre to be opened in the north, with patient waiting times climbing as South Australians flock to be swabbed.

Currently, SA Health testing facilities have been established at the Lyell McEwin Hospital (LMH) at Elizabeth Vale and the Gawler Health Service for northern residents looking to get tested.

Last Tuesday, reports of up to five-hour wait times for a test at the LMH emerged, as a consistently-increasing number of people present for testing state-wide.

On Wednesday, the State Government announced a new drive-through clinic in Adelaide’s Victoria Park had been established to alleviate pressure on metropolitan testing clinics such as at the LMH.

Deputy opposition leader Susan Close said her party supported the new clinic, but that an additional testing site in the northern suburbs was still needed to provide more options close to home.

“We need to do everything in our power to keep South Australians safe – and that means prompt, local and easy access to COVID-19 testing,” she said.

“Adelaide’s northern residents need to have the ability to get tested as soon as possible – and do so without lining up for potentially hours at a time.

“South Australians are trying to do the right thing and follow SA Health advice, and the Government must do everything it can to allow for that.”

A Northern Adelaide Local Health Network spokesperson (NALHN) told The Bunyip the average wait time at the LMH clinic was three-and-a-half hours last Tuesday, up from a usual average of around 90 minutes across the past three weeks.

To alleviate the long wait times at the hospital, SA Health set up a temporary drive-through clinic, although patients are still required to present to the regular clinic in the first instance.

The NALHN spokesperson said the drive-through alternative would be assessed to determine “how it will continue in upcoming weeks, mainly dependent on demand on any given day”.

SA Pathology has now processed more than 276,000 COVID-19 tests, more than 60,000 of which occurred in the past month.

The LMH swabbed more than 5300 patients between July 16 and August 6, while the Gawler clinic completed 1868 tests between July 20 and August 9.

SA Health was unable to provide The Bunyip with average waiting times for the Gawler clinic.

The NALHN spokesperson said the state of the pandemic would determine the location of any new testing clinics.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to work with SA Pathology to review our processes and adapt our COVID-19 testing services to respond and manage demand,” the spokesperson said.

“A number of considerations must be made when deciding on locations for testing clinics, including staffing, logistics and overall demand.”

Patients seeking to get tested at one of SA Health’s dedicated clinic no longer require a doctor’s referral to receive a swab.

Alternate ways to receive a test include through a domiciliary visit or by visiting your local GP.