of training preceded NW outbreak
staff only just being rolled out
need access to PPE, training
It is concerning
that training in the use of personal protective equipment is only just being
rolled out to all THS staff, 50 days after the declaration of a public health
emergency.
Labor Leader
Rebecca White said with another two confirmed COVID-19 cases overnight – one a
Launceston General Hospital health worker – access to PPE and
training is critical.
“One of the key
concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak in Tasmania’s North West was a
reported shortage of PPE and a lack training in its use,” Ms White said.
“This included
hospital staff being told to reuse PPE which was designed for single use only.
“We’re aware that
training in the use of PPE is only now being rolled out to all staff across the
Tasmanian Health Service, with a meeting today to field staff questions about
its use.
“It is unacceptable
that this is only happening now – 50 days after the declaration of a health
emergency and a month since the start of the North West outbreak.
“We are also aware
of concerns that non-clinical staff like orderlies, who do not have access
to a work computer or the THS intranet, will struggle to complete the
online-only training module.
“All THS staff
deserve an immediate assurance that they will receive the PPE and the training
they need and that this will occur quickly.”
Ms White
said guidelines for the use of PPE and access to PPE in the
disability sector also needs to be addressed, with the government’s
response regarding guidelines for operation and access, training and use of PPE
focussing almost entirely on health and aged care workers.
“Disability support
workers provide a vital service to vulnerable people across our society and
often work across multiple settings – including aged care and hospitals. They
deserve the same support and protections as other high-risk sectors.
“Yet, we are
hearing that they feel ignored, and have even been forced to purchase PPE stock
from Shiploads and eBay because they have been unable to access PPE from
government stockpiles.
“I welcome the Premier’s commitment to look into this, but it is disappointing that there are no clear processes to manage access to PPE and guidelines for its use in the disability sector.
“I urge the Premier to recognise the importance of disability sector workers and provide them with the support, PPE and training they need to protect themselves and their clients.”
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
