A Newcastle mum admitted she was “shocked” and “embarrassed” when directed to urinate in her car while attending a COVID-19 testing site in the City this week.
After being deemed a close contact, due to her two children attending Jesmond Public School – one of the region’s “hot spots”, Brittney headed to the University of Newcastle drive-through clinic to do, in her words, “the right thing”.
She, with her six and seven-year-olds in tow, arrived at noon but following an almost three-hour wait, the local woman needed a bathroom break.
That’s when the drama unfolded.
“I was about to explode,” Brittney said.
“We weren’t even half-way through the line, after all that time, and I was, quite simply, busting.
“What are you meant to do?
“There are no signs or directions, so I got out of my car.
“The next thing, three people ran at me telling me to return to my vehicle.
“I tried to explain the situation – and thought it was a normal question to ask.
“However, they said those amenities weren’t offered.
“Incredibly, they told me to urinate in my car or use the bushes nearby.
“I could see a few blokes, with their kids, heading down the track but I was uncomfortable doing that.
“Then, what made it worse, I was informed if I refused to ‘go’ in my vehicle, they would take my licence number and report me to the police.
“It was very distressing.”
Without getting tested, a distraught Brittney drove away, informing a gentleman guarding the car park exit what had occurred.
He advised her to go home – and, afterwards, come back to where he was stationed.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it that far [home],” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“I had to use the toilets at a shopping centre – but what would happen if I had COVID-19 and transmitted it while I was there?
“I was uncomfortable being put in that position; and, possibly, risking other people’s health.
“When I returned to the testing site, I was refused entry because they had closed for the day.
“I just couldn’t believe it.
“I later rang NSW Health about possible testing at home and, during our conversation, they unbelievably told me the same thing – you’re expected to pee yourself in your vehicle.
“They don’t have anything in place to help people.
“I understand the need for safety and looking out for others – that’s why I was there in the first place – however you can’t always be prepared for something like that.
“As a mother of a couple of kids, I know.
“What about people with health problems or the elderly?
“NSW Health needs to offer toilets – and deep clean them after use.”
There is some good news to this story.
Despite being reported to NSW Health by the staff of the University of Newcastle drive-through clinic, Brittney eventually triumphed.
“I ended up going to John Hunter Hospital,” she said.
“When I let them know I was a close contact, they tested me immediately.
“And, the workers there were fantastic.”
There are more than 410 testing clinics open across NSW.
For a complete list and booking details, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx
COVID-19 testing clinics
- Belmont Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont. Follow signs on campus
- Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital – Screening desk located inside of front entrance, Edith and Plath Street, Waratah
- Cessnock Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 24 View Street, Cessnock
- John Hunter Hospital – Adjacent to the Emergency Department, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights
- Maitland Hospital – Health Services Unit, 560 High Street, Maitland
- Singleton Hospital Drive-through Clinic – Follow signs at main entrance, Dangar Road, Singleton
- University of Newcastle Drive-through Clinic – ICT car park, entry from University Drive, Callaghan
- McDonald Jones Stadium Laverty Pathology Clinic – McDonald Jones Stadium
- Adamstown Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 91 Victoria Street, Adamstown, enter carpark via Victoria Street. Please do not exit your car.
- Cessnock Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre car park, 88 Mount View Road
- East Maitland 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Stockade Hill Carpark, Brisbane Street, East Maitland
- Gateshead Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Harold Knight Oval, Pacific Highway (Entry via Willow Road)
- Morisset Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 40 Ourimbah Street, Morisset
- Nelson Bay Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 20 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay
- South Maitland Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Maitland Showground, Blomfield Street (entry via Anzac Street), South Maitland
- Wallsend 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 173 Nelson Street, Wallsend
- Warners Bay 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Central Church, 290 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay
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