NEWSFLASH: Mersey Community Hospital Transmission - Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Tasmanian Branch)

COVID-19

Updates for nurses, midwives and care workers in Tasmania

Breaking: COVID-19 Entitlements for Mersey Community Hospital (MCH) Members

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) have been made aware of a healthcare worker testing positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Mersey Community Hospital (MCH) Emergency Department (ED). This Newsflash is intended to provide advice to members on your entitlements as a nurse, midwife or assistant in nursing (AIN) working at the MCH.

The ANMF has received advice directly from the Minister for Health, Sarah Courtney that a thorough investigation is being undertaken by Public Health to ascertain all contacts of the affected healthcare worker. If there is a risk that you have had contact with this healthcare worker, you will be contacted by Public Health and asked to self-isolate. The ANMF understand that some members are already in isolation due to being a close contact.

COVID-19 leave entitlements for members at MCH:

If you test positive to COVID-19 having come into contact with a positive case of COVID-19 in your workplace, you can apply for workers compensation to cover your period of leave.
If you are asked to go into isolation due to close contact with COVID-19 in your workplace and you are well, you may be asked to work from home, if this is relevant to your role.
If you are unable to work from home, you will be paid for your 14 days isolation. Your pay will reflect your rostered hours or booked shifts (as a casual). If you are casual and your shifts have not been booked in advance, you will be paid an average of your usual earnings for the 14 days.
If you become unwell during your 14 days isolation, the ANMF recommend that you make a workers compensation claim.

The ANMF appreciate that this is a very concerning time for all members at the MCH ED as well as the broader hospital and community. While the investigation is still ongoing, to date there is no indication that this case is linked to travel or contact with a confirmed case.

Community transmission clearly is of significant concern. The ANMF urge all members to ensure that you are keeping safe and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in line with the Australian Government, Department of Health recommendations which can be accessed here.

If you have concerns regarding the availability of PPE or your accessing leave entitlements, please contact the ANMF Member Support Team via email, membersupport@anmftas.org.au

The ANMF recognise that this is a stressful time for all of our members, and we are here to assist you with COVID-19 related matters, or otherwise. However, if you feel that you need more support to assist you through this difficult time, please also remember as an ANMF member you have access to free confidential assistance via the Nurse and Midwives Support 24/7 helpline. Contact them on 1800 667 877 or learn more online here.

Download a print ready PDF of this newsflash here.

View the full COVID-19 page here

Updates correct as at 28 March 2020
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

COVID-19 TRAINING AVAILABLE HERE

In order to best support nurses, midwives and care workers throughout the current pandemic, we have partnered with My Midwifery and Nursing CPD to bring members up to date online training on COVID-19. This training is free for all ANMF Tasmanian members and includes 2 modules focused on COVID-19, totalling 6 CPD hours.

Access training here