ANMF COVID-19 Newsflash: Hobart Private and St Helen’s Hospitals

• The ANMF wrote to management regarding the lack of Fit testing availability.  Healthscope assures the ANMF that “all staff in critical areas have been given the opportunity to fit test.  A number of staff did not take up this offer. Fit testing is available and continues for all staff. If they have not been fit tested, they need to follow up with their line manager” and Healthscope “can confirm all staff have the availability to be released from their department to attend fit testing” 
• The ANMF wrote further to Healthscope regarding the concern that when members have attended a fit test appointment, they were told there is only one type of N95 mask available for fit testing as that is all that is being supplied. Therefore, if a member is allergic to it and cannot wear it, or the fit test fails with this particular mask, then there is no alternative. Healthscope replied to the ANMF’s letter with “Healthscope have a range of N95 masks available to ensure an appropriate mask can be provided”. 
• The ANMF were also advised that members had been told there was no testing for staff to access and they would need to source their own RAT or PCR test elsewhere. This is despite Healthscope stating that “Since late last year HPH has been providing a drive through clinic for staff to be RAT and PCR tested” the ANMF again wrote to Healthscope to clarify this situation and they advised “We provide RAT and PCR testing for all staff who are asymptomatic. Staff who are symptomatic are referred to Public Health for testing”.

The ANMF ask members to contact your manager if you have any difficulty with any of the above concerns and also to contact Member Support below if your manager cannot provide you access to any of the above.

Read the PDF version here.

Updates correct as at 9 February 2022.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary