A PENOLA doctor has raised concerns about the potential impacts to the state’s healthcare system as a result of differing restrictions between South Australia and Victoria.
Dr Nirmal Grewal has had to refer patients for a 700km-plus round trip to Adelaide due to the South Australian-Victorian border restrictions, as he is no longer able to send clients to medical facilities in western Victoria, such as Hamilton which is a 350km return trip.
While he acknowledged the current COVID-19 restrictions as necessary, Dr Grewal said patients may now have a longer waiting period to have their medical needs met.
“Under normal circumstances we would use the Victorian towns but we can no longer do that,” Dr Grewal said.
“It has had a negative impact and it is a matter of numbers because Hamilton is only a few hours away whereas Adelaide is four, so if someone wants to go see a specialist in Hamilton for lungs they are no longer able to do that.”
Dr Grewal said extra referrals to Adelaide would impact the state’s healthcare system but conceded the situation would just need to be accepted.
He expected the state’s specialists to be backlogged with patients who are unable to cross the border, with cases to be prioritised on urgency of care.
Dr Grenwal said said he had referred a number of patients to the COVID-19 testing station at Mount Gambier Hospital, stating it was a fantastic outcome no new cases had been confirmed in the region.
“Anyone with any type of symptoms showing we refer them to get tested and tell them to self isolate until the tests come back,” he said.
“If we did not close the border when we did there is a good chance the virus would have made it here.
“If we hit critical mass in Australia then that is it, it will make its way everywhere and Australia is one of the few countries where it has not hit that point.
“This virus is highly infectious and it is a worry for the elderly at the hospitals, as well as intensive care, because if it gets out of control it will all get overloaded and fall apart.”
Dr Grenwal praised the surge in uptake of telecommunications to conduct consults, removing the need for face-to-face interaction.
“The access the wider community has to the teleconsult is fantastic,” he said.
“Patients who need smaller and simple outcomes from their appointments are now able to do so over the phone, which has had a positive impact on the community.”
CROSS BORDER BUSINESS CHALLENGE
WRATTONBULLY’S Eight at the Gate vineyard co-owner Claire Davies said despite minor inconveniences for the business, the COVID-19 pandemic had provided a number of opportunities for her family.
As the popular vineyard is located around three kilometres from the border near Edenhope Road, Ms Davies said her children – who participate in interstate sporting events – have had the opportunity to stay at home and spend more time as a family.
“The pandemic has allowed our family to slow down and relax a little bit because we are here over the weekends and we are not rushing around for the different sports,” she said.
“It has given us more time to be productive and have more family time together.
“We are working together on the vineyard more and find we are just generally enjoying each others company.”
Ms Davies said traffic flow had been limited on the main roads close to the vineyard since the border restrictions were introduced, with most vehicles linked to farming or freight.
“A lot of the traffic we have been seeing is farming traffic and a lot less holiday makers which is great as it appears those from across the border have stopped and stayed at home,” Ms Davies said.
“We do know a lot of people who live just across the border and that has been a real dilemma for them with their children going to school here in South Australia.
“Although it is reasonably simple for those attending Naracoorte schools, it has provided a challenge for those who attend boarding school in Adelaide.
“There are also those from South Australia whose children attend school in Victoria and they have concerns about what they will need to do once they come back as well.”
She urged the broader Limestone Coast region to accept the majority of essential Victorian workers were based along the border and had not been travelling to Melbourne and surroundings where the major outbreaks have occurred.
“Many are hard working farmers who do not travel anywhere,” she said.
“The likelihood of them being exposed to the virus is slim and I have heard of Victorian cross border community members having things said to them and I would hope our broader community is a lot more open minded than that and realise there are an awful lot of people who are reliant on the services available in Naracoorte.
“I consider them a part of our community here with the only difference being their physical address and I do hope the rest of the community can see it that way too.”
Warrawindi farmer David Galpin also noted a decrease in vehicle movements along Casterton Road since the border restrictions began with a vast majority of traffic being freight trucks and farming units.
“I believe 99pc of the cross border community is doing the right thing and the restrictions are in place to prevent that small 1pc from doing the wrong thing,” Mr Galpin said.
“It is a bit of a concern that we need to go to this extreme measure but we must do whatever is needed to keep our communities safe.”
Mr Galpin said the police stationed at the border checkpoints were doing a fantastic job ensuring correct information was available and that those crossing the border are doing the right thing.
“It is a difficult situation for all and we all just need to hang in there,” he said.
BUSINESSES LOOK INLAND FOR TOURISTS
INTRASTATE travel continues to positively impact the Coonawarra strip with more South Australians choosing the Limestone Coast for a holiday break given interstate and international limitations.
Traditionally popular among travellers entering from Victoria, Coonawarra and Penola businesses have experienced an influx of intrastate visitors recently as border restrictions continue to hamper access.
Riddoch Business and Community Association president Rebecca Trotter said although the border closures were preventing a key demographic from entering the region, it had been wonderful to see many South Australians explore their own
backyard.
“We do look forward to the borders reopening and welcoming our Victorian customers but it has been a good opportunity for people within our state to visit the region,” Ms Trotter said.
“Especially those who had never been here before or have not been here for a long time.”
Intrastate travel has been actively promoted by the State Government in an effort to boost the South Australian.
Ms Trotter believes many travellers have swapped out international travel for a trip to the popular tourist town and had extended their trip across the Limestone Coast.
