Darling Downs Health staff to be stood down over Covid-19 vaccine mandate

More than 130 healthcare staff across the Darling Downs region could be stood down if they fail to provide proof of their Covid-19 vaccination, or receive an exemption in under 30 days.

MORE than 100 healthcare workers in the region face the sack in less than 30 days if they do not receive their Covid-19 vaccinations or have an exemption approved.

The countdown is on as Queensland prepares to open its borders to the rest of the country in exactly a month’s time.

The Darling Downs region could be forced to operate without 131 healthcare staff if they fail to meet the Queensland Health Covid-19 vaccination mandate.

Queensland Health data revealed out of the 6597 staff within the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, 131 staff members are “in scope” of the mandate, however have been unable to show proof of their vaccination record and are not on leave.

Any staff members within the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service who have not been vaccinated, or have not applied for an exemption, will face the sack come December 15.

This could potentially leave hospitals and health services spanning across Toowoomba, Dalby, Chinchilla, Kingaroy, Goondiwindi and Warwick without vital frontline workers.

The figures also revealed 204 were on leave and did not need to become compliant with the mandate until they are due to return from work.

The revelation of Darling Downs Health’s statistics come two weeks after Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said 4000 health workers had been suspended for refusing to get the Covid jab.

The Toowoomba region has played a vital role in helping Queensland hit its crucial vaccination targets, with more than 73 per cent of the population over the age of 15 fully vaccinated.

Toowoomba Hospital. Picture David Clark

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the mandate was designed to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of healthcare workers.

“We understand each individual is different and that some people are genuinely unable to be vaccinated,” she said.

“For this reason, every exemption application and show-cause notice process is being progressed and assessed on a case-by-case basis.

“This means every person will be at a different stage of the process with different types of pay, different leave arrangements or alternative work options depending on their individual circumstances.”

A total of 2423 exemption requests for the Covid-19 vaccine have been received across the whole of Queensland.

Of these, 142 have come from the Darling Downs.