Shorecare Northcross, which was designated as a COVID-19 Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC) in March, will be
reopening for normal consults on the 3rd August, along with their tenants TRG Imaging and Foot Mechanics. Since
transforming into a testing facility in less than 48 hours on the 21st March, the team at Shorecare have tested over
16,000 people in the wider North Shore and Rodney district. Sarah Peters, Nurse Manager said that “staff really pulled
together and got stuck in with the ever-changing processes that we threw at them…dedication to the community and
teamwork got everyone through the sometimes challenging days”.
Shorecare were the only CBAC in Auckland to have booked appointments, which helped to reduce traffic disruption at the
busy Oteha Valley and East Coast Road intersection. Ms Peters said that “feedback from patients was that they
appreciated having a booked appointment as they did not have to wait for an extended period of time in traffic”. This
also meant that laboratory forms and swabs could be prepared in advance. After an appointment was made, security would
be informed of each patient’s surname, appointment time, and car registration number, which helped to streamline the
process. For those that could not drive to the clinic, Shorecare repurposed a dental bus from Waitemata District Health
Board (DHB), which was nicknamed the “Scooby bus”.
The team at Shorecare have felt very supported by the local community. “We had multiple messages from people expressing
their appreciation and had a number of gifts from Hells Pizza, Anchor, Whitakers, and Bays Flowers, just to name a few,”
said Felicity Craft, Marketing and Administration Support. These really helped to boost morale and keep staff spirits
high.
Before reopening, Shorecare will be undergoing a deep clean both inside and out. Anyone presenting will be screened at
the entrance, with those needing a test for COVID-19 separated. If you do have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever,
cough, loss of sense of smell or taste, or breathlessness, Shorecare recommend that you first call your GP or Healthline
(0800 358 5453) for advice. While testing will still be available at both Shorecare Northcross and Smales Farm, many GPs
are now also undertaking COVID-19 testing.