Staff from veterinary teaching hospital at Sydney University raise concerns about new Covid-19 risk

Staff at a major veterinary teaching hospital have hit out at being forced to continue to operate the way they are, as Sydney faces the Delta outbreak.

Staff at a major veterinary teaching hospital have hit out at being forced to continue to operate as Sydney remains in the grips of the Delta outbreak.

More than 30 vet students are continuing with practical work at the Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital – on top of the 60 staff who regularly work at the Camperdown facility in Sydney’s inner city.

Adding to staff fears are the queues of people “congregating outside” the clinic with their pets.

Under the NSW Public Health Order, veterinary services are allowed to run, as well as education that cannot be undertaken at home.

“The extra 30 or so students in the building each day on top of the 60 or more staff who are in the building at any one time makes social distancing very difficult when students are in the clinic,” a staff member, who didn’t wish to be named, said.

“It is also impossible to keep 1.5 metres apart when examining an animal, as one person is needed to help hold the animal while the other person examines it.”

Sydney University. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The staff member called on a ban on student vets until all clinic staff and students are fully vaccinated

“We should be delaying the practical component of the students’ final year for a short period of time during the height of this Delta outbreak,” the staff member said.

“This can still be done while still allowing the students to graduate in time as was done last year.”

But it’s not just the students that are of concern. Staff claim there have been issues with members of the public not staying away from the front doors to the hospital.

“Reception staff are overwhelmed with extra phone calls involved with client free consulting,” the staff member said.

“They cannot stay on top of the constant groups of clients congregating outside the building who are waiting to talk to vets or drop off or pick up their pets.”

Last week, concerns were made to management in a hospital wide meeting over Zoom, but some staff felt that they weren’t listened to.

The University of Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

A spokeswoman for the University of Sydney said they are “trying our best” to provide care in the pandemic for the essential providers.

“We are also trying to protect our amazing staff and students and have no cases of COVID-19 in the Hospital,” the spokeswoman said.

“We have managed this so far but do not take it for granted.

“Training is one of the primary purposes of the facility. Our Veterinary students also support the Hospital’s ability to offer care to clients and patients during a period of reduced staffing capacity. There is no suggestion that students pose a greater risk than other staff.

“We’ve been in regular communication with our students throughout the current outbreak to remind and encourage them to be vigilant and operate in accordance with the strict Covid safe procedures in place.”

The University said it would also be looking into further measures with security, including additional signage and lighting, after listening to concerns from staff about how they could “continue to encourage clients to behave in a Covid-safe way”.

Originally published as Staff from veterinary teaching hospital at Sydney University raise concerns about new Covid-19 risk