Almost 200 unvaccinated Gold Coast Health medical staff remain at work despite threats by officials

Resourcing problems have been blamed for a “backflip”, letting almost 200 unvaccinated nurses continue to work – despite threats to put them on indefinite leave.

NEARLY 200 unvaccinated Gold Coast Health staffers remain working at the city’s overburdened hospitals despite a threat last month to put them on indefinite leave.

It’s understood 184 medical staff have not been forced to take leave and remain employed at the city’s health and hospital service, with claims of a backflip due to “resourcing problems”.

A health directive drafted last month mandated all Queensland Health staff must have one Covid-19 vaccine dose by September 30 and be fully vaxxed by the end of October.

Health authorities said those who didn’t comply would have to take paid leave, then once used up, apply for unpaid leave indefinitely until vaccinated.

An apolitical union representing 600 private and public nurses across the Gold Coast believes unvaccinated staff remain at work because of “resourcing problems”.

Nurses Professional Association of Queensland (NPAQ) secretary Aenghas Hopkinson-Pearson, who last month asked where all the extra nurses would come from, said: “Our organisation was aware of potential staff issues arising down on the Gold Coast.

“So we wouldn’t be surprised if this recent backflip is a result of resourcing problems.”

A health source says the majority of Gold Coast Health’s 11,850 employers have provided evidence they’re vaccinated against Covid-19.

“None of these unvaccinated staff are working in high-risk areas such as the Covid-19 ward or fever clinics,” one source said.

According to a Gold Coast Health spokeswoman: “No staff have been forced to take leave because they are not vaccinated.”

The spokeswoman added the service was following a Health Employment Directive issued by QH’s Director-General.

“We are working through the implications of the directive with the small numbers of staff who have requested an exemption,” she said.

“In the meantime, unvaccinated staff need to wear a surgical mask in the workplace at all times (or higher level of PPE as required under a public health direction/in accordance with other workplace requirements).”

The revelation comes on the back of news QNurses First Inc, otherwise known as NPAQ, has lodged an application with the Supreme Court on behalf of Gold Coast and other Queensland medical staff.

It’s asking for a statutory order of review of the decision by Director-General of Queensland Health John Wakefield and Queensland Health to require health service employees and perspective employees who attend hospital and health care facilities to have one Covid-19 shot before September 30.

Director General of Queensland Health Dr John Wakefield and Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Mr Hopkinson-Pearson said if health authorities had “come to the table” and properly consulted with staff maybe more nurses would have “rolled up their sleeve”.

“Quick talks in the hallway or a notice announcing the mandate without consultation isn’t right,” he said.

Questions would be raised whether an employer can unilaterally change their workplace conditions without any consultation with its employees, he said.

“Yes they can under the special health directives that are in place, but the thing about legislation is one piece of legislation doesn’t trump another, it must be read in conjunction with it,” he said.

Mr Hopkinson-Pearson said health directives should not remove an employer’s obligation to look after their staff.

He said the alternative union, that has no affiliation with either major political parties, was experiencing a “tremendous” growth in sign-ups.

“Last week was the biggest week of new members on record, not just across nurses but for our drivers, teachers and police unions,” he said

“The Gold Coast in particular seems to be a real hub for this health stuff that’s going on. Health staff down there are particularly concerned about the government mandate and it’s ability to effectively take away their choice in this matter.”

“And there’s always a bit of a jump in stats when a mandate comes in, it’s like people don’t realise they need insurance until their kitchen is on fire.”

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Originally published as Almost 200 unvaccinated Gold Coast Health medical staff remain at work despite threats by officials