Queensland Health has released a new version of its Managing Healthcare Workers Exposed to or With COVID document, which follows the CHO’s Direction allowing close contacts of COVID-19 positive people out of isolation (provided they are not symptomatic).

Under this direction, health workers who are deemed a close contact can return to work with some restrictions and protections in place, which are outlined in this document .  

Specifically, as a first option close contacts should work remotely. However, if this is not possible, the expectation is that they return to their workplace (again, provided they are not symptomatic). 

The QNMU provided significant input into a draft version of the document. Most of our feedback was accepted, including strengthening the wording around work health and safety requirements and confirming that employees should work from home as the first option, if they are able to do so. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to convince Queensland Health to commit to doing PCR testing instead of RATs, nor did QH agree to conduct daily testing for close contacts who are working, instead opting to test every two days.   

The QNMU also argued that Discretionary Special Leave should be available if employees still had concerns about returning to the workplace as a close contact. Unfortunately, QH would not agree to this, and as a result there is no leave available for close contacts (apart from your regular sick leave).

Remember, if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person and you do develop symptoms yourself, the usual leave arrangements apply, including paid special pandemic leave once your sick leave is exhausted. 

Update on QH vaccination non-compliance show-cause process

We understand some QNMU members have enquired about the status of COVID-19 vaccination non-compliance within their health service.

The QNMU has now received a response from QH, following our request for an update on this situation. QH has acknowledged that there is some variance in the progress that each Hospital and Health Service has made in managing the small number of nurses and midwives who remain unvaccinated. However, they also provided the following update:

 

• Over 97% of in-scope staff are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Over 71% who have not provided evidence of vaccination are using their own leave.
• 695 non-compliant employees remain subject to a show-cause process (as of 22 April 2022).
• Only a very small portion of those non-compliant employees are suspended on full pay or on special leave full pay. The remaining employees are either accessing personal leave, suspended with no pay, or working remotely. 

The QNMU will continue to monitor this situation to ensure the remaining cases are dealt with as quickly as possible. 

Remember, for all information relating to COVID-19, including your industrial entitlements, visit www.qnmu.org.au/coronavirus