Melton testing site worker injured

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Sarah Oliver

Police are investigating after a traffic controller was injured in an “alleged deliberate act” at a Melton COVID testing site on Wednesday.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Western Health chief executive Russell Harrison said the traffic controller at the Western Health-operated drive-through testing site was injured on Wednesday morning “in what is alleged to have been a deliberate act”. resulting in the site being closed.

Mr Harrison said everyone at Western Health were shocked to hear of the incident.

“While I can’t comment further on the incident itself, given it is the subject of a Victoria Police investigation, I want to make it clear that no level of violence or aggression towards our staff and contractors will be tolerated,” the statement said..

“Our healthcare workers and support staff have done an extraordinary job supporting the community throughout the COVID pandemic. Like everyone, they deserve to be safe at work.

“Our thoughts are with the person impacted by this incident…”

Mr Harrison also said the people who were already in the queue to be tested at the time of the incident were still able to be processed by staff.

“We provided debriefing and support to all staff on duty today at the Melton site. Understandably, many were upset by what took place this morning.

“Thank you to the thousands of members of our community who show respect and patience with our testing and vaccination staff and our traffic controllers and on site security teams, each day.”