The Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, has revealed he has tested positive for COVID-19 through the use of a Rapid Antigen Test.

His experience of attempting to get a formal test at the Bomaderry Testing Clinic, only to find out it was not operating during the hours advertised on the Local Health District website, will see him write to the NSW Health Minister to demand a full explanation.

“I rode my bike from my home to the Bomaderry Histopath Drive-through & Walk-in Clinic in Cambewarra Road. Because of my disability, I don’t drive but I wasn’t prepared to ask someone to transport me to the clinic for fear of passing on COVID-19,” he says.

“When I arrived, I was advised that there were restricted hours of operation in place despite different advice on the Health Department’s own website. In fact, I was advised that the Bomaderry clinic closed today at 1PM not 4PM as advised on the Health Department’s website.

“This is totally unacceptable and down-right incompetent.

“Whilst no reasonable person can expect everything to go smoothly during a global pandemic, I am frustrated and angry that well-paid Government bureaucrats continue to fail even the most basic of tests when it comes to the management of this pandemic.”

Mr Ward says he had heard many similar stories from locals, and wants answers from the Minister.

“I remain frustrated that key stakeholders like the Australian Medical Association, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and peak representative bodies of nurses and other health professionals aren’t involved in scenario planning and making important decisions about our response to this pandemic,” he says.

He recently criticised the Local Health District for closing the Kiama Testing Clinic over the Christmas period.