Gold Coast Health staff told what will happen if they refuse Covid-19 vaccination
Gold Coast Health staff who refuse to take the Covid-19 vaccine have been told what they can expect to happen to their jobs. FULL DETAILS >>>
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ANTI-VAX staff at Gold Coast Health were told at a meeting on Wednesday they’d be placed on leave indefinitely if they weren’t fully vaccinated against Covid by the end of October.
Exemptions apply for those who can’t have the jab for medical reasons.
For those who “decline” the shot, the department will “discuss” their decision and “explore whether there is any additional information or support” that can be provided to enable them to be vaccinated.
It’s believed about between 10,000-15,000 of Queensland Health’s 90,000 staff across the state are not vaccinated, including hundreds on the Gold Coast.
According to a health insider, staff were told those who refused the jab would have to take their paid leave, then once that was used they’d have to apply for unpaid leave indefinitely until they were vaccinated.
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“Basically we were told that staff would remain on leave for an undetermined period of time until it would be deemed that the position would be untenable, someone described it as like a position abandoned,” said the fully vaccinated staffer.
“If they can’t do their job, they’re no use.
“It’s time for unvaccinated staff at Gold Coast Health to get with the times. You have to have other vaccinations as a health work, how is this different?
“They’re a liability, you wouldn’t want an unvaccinated worker caring for your elderly relative.
“I imagine about two-thirds will cave because it’s a career and an income, and realistically the other health care jobs you can get instead will require it too eventually.”
All staff, including non-clinical, are being encouraged to attend the Broadbeach Covid-19 Vaccination Centre to have their jab, where no appointment is necessary for them.
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In a letter from Dr John Wakefield, Director-General of Queensland Health, staff were told they must be “pandemic-ready and protected”.
“We respect individual choice and there are some who may not wish to be vaccinated,” said Dr Wakefield.
“Our approach will be to discuss with any staff member who may decline to be vaccinated and explore whether there is any additional information or support that can be provided to enable them to be vaccinated.
“In some instances, staff may be unable to be vaccinated for a medical reason and we will work with these staff to explore alternative options to keep them and our workplaces safe.”
Turmoil as health staff threaten to quit over vax mandate
Sept 13
GOLD Coast Health’s already burnt-out workforce is in turmoil, with staff threatening to resign after Queensland Health mandated getting a Covid vaccine dose by September 30.
Queensland Health also mandated staff must be fully vaxxed by the end of October.
Nurses Professional Association of Queensland (NPAQ) secretary Aenghas Hopkinson-Pearson said: “The deadline will result in a loss of staff and patient care will suffer.
“Gold Coast hospitals have already lost staff due to border restrictions and the vaccination deadline for student placements means the influx of new graduates will also be decreased.
“I don’t think we can afford to lose a single nurse. Where are all the extra nurses and staff expected to come from?
“We’re potentially walking blindfolded into something quite terrible.”
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Dozens of Gold Coast Health staff joined the NPAQ – their union – on Sunday after being told they’d be forced to get a jab to continue working. The NPAQ had to urge nurses not to resign.
“I’m not sure what’s happening on the Gold Coast at the moment but we’ve had a massive influx of members and we’re urging them not to quit but contact us so we can assist them and discuss our legal strategy.
“We had the largest growth of members on record on Sunday.”
Mr Hopkinson-Pearson said there’d already been an exodus of aged-care staff across the Gold Coast because of vaccination mandates, with more coming.
“This new mandate will have a terrible impact on an already stretched workforce and ratios,” he said.
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On Sunday, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said measures would be taken to address unvaccinated health workers and some included redeployment in different roles.
She said while 80 per cent of the state’s health workforce was vaccinated, more health professionals need to get jabbed.
“It may be that they’ve been on leave. We’ve got some stuff that due to other health reasons or pregnancy that they’ve been a bit hesitant and they want to wait, we will work through that. Of course, there’s conscientious objectors as well,” she said.
“We’ve worked with the unions, we have support across the board, we will work with those staff who cannot or will not get vaccinated to find alternative arrangements and work through those arrangements with them, but it is important that we keep our health staff safe.”
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But Mr Hopkinson-Pearson said Queensland Health had not contacted NPAQ – an alternative nurses union – that was apolitical and did not have any “political masters, so we don’t have to pull any punches when defending nurses”.
With 8000 state members and growing, he said their organisation was aware there was a lot of discontent among nurses across Queensland.
“Nurses were heroes in 2020 and now they’re having their jobs threatened by the government and health ministers. The majority of these staff are tertiary educated and should be allowed to make their own choice in regards to vaccination,” he said.
A fully vaccinated Gold Coast Health staffer said a small number workers weren’t happy with the direction being taken.
“Ultimately they will have to choose between the jab or losing their job,” she said.
“There’s no way they can redeploy such huge numbers of staff into non-patient care areas.
“They may cut some slack for those with anaphylactic shock histories or those who are pregnant but otherwise it’ll likely be a condition of employment.
“I’m not sure why it’s such an issue as it has been mandatory for years to have our hepatitis B and MMR vaccinations to work at Queensland Health. This is no exception, just an update to keep with the times.”
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She said a professional care role requires health care staff to do no harm and it would not be fair to patients or colleagues to put others at risk.
“We know an outbreak is inevitable and there are vulnerable people that we care for. It’s the responsible thing to do and I’m pleased that they are taking these steps towards what will likely be the norm in society anyway for the safety of ourselves and others,” she said.
A Gold Coast Health spokeswoman said: “A very high percentage of our workforce is fully vaccinated.
“In the coming days, we will work with those employees who remain unvaccinated to understand how the directive applies to them.
“Staff members who have questions can email our HR team at gcaskhr@health.qld.gov.au.”
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