Westmead Hospital: Health Services Union calls for more cleaners

Fears are mounting that a failure to recruit enough cleaners at the centrepiece building of the $1 billion Westmead Hospital redevelopment will trigger a COVID-19 ‘disaster’.

The Health Services Union has urged the State Government to delay the opening of Westmead Hospital’s new wards and emergency department on February 17 to prevent a potential coronavirus outbreak spread by external cleaners.

The union’s NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said fewer than half of the planned 208 cleaning staff had been hired to work at the 300-room central acute services building and those who had been recruited have not been trained or undertaken orientation about procedures.

He said the staff shortage has led Westmead Hospital management to hire external cleaners and security to cover the shortfall — prompting concerns about compromising patient and staff safety.

“Hiring outside contractors, who may be working at a range of facilities, is an unacceptable COVID risk,” Mr Hayes said.

“Haven’t we learnt the dangers of insecure casual workers employed at a number of workplaces spreading COVID in the community?’’

The fears have been heightened because Westmead Hospital will be a vaccination hub this month.

“The opening of the building needs to be delayed by four weeks so staff can be hired, trained and orientated,’’ Mr Hayes said.

“The new emergency department is also projected to open on 17th of February, so this could be a disaster.’’

The union claims it has raised the “lack of action” on recruitment since October but had not received a satisfactory response from hospital management, and needed a timetable of when staff would transfer to the new building, as well as the number of wards and theatres.

“Our members are dedicated professionals excited about working in a state-of-the-art new building with modern technology and equipment,’’ he said.

“However they are not willing to place themselves or their patients at risk because of unsafe staffing levels.”

A Western Sydney Local Health District spokesman confirmed contract staff might be used to work at the hospital when needed.

“Westmead Hospital endeavours to use employed cleaning staff wherever possible,’’ he said.

“At times of high demand, contract staff may be used to complement the existing workforce.”

The central acute services building is the main part of Westmead Hospital’s redevelopment. Picture: Monique Harmer

He said the required number of cleaning staff for the first phase of work was already in place and training has been completed.

“Recruitment and training is ongoing for additional cleaning staff who will be required for later phases of the move.

“We are confident our recruitment strategy will ensure we are fully staffed and ready for more services to move within the planned time frame.’’

The spokesman said the health district had undertaken extensive consultation and no union representatives objected to the timetable at the most recent meeting.

“Staffing resources are regularly reviewed to maintain our commitment to safety, quality and infection control,’’ he said.

The new central acute services building will house two emergency departments, operating theatres and more than 300 patient rooms.

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