Ask Judith

Let’s be kind to one another

Easter is here, winter is around the corner, COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out. A sense of relative calm. But International Women’s Day came and went on 8 March – ironically and very sadly drowned out by a backdrop of public debate and media coverage of toxic workplace cultures that ‘tolerate’ sexual harassment and worse, starting at our nation’s parliament. But our own workplaces are not immune. We await results from the 2020 People Matter Employee Survey, but let’s reflect on the 2019 results. In answer to the question: “In the last 12 months I have been subjected to physical harm and/or sexual harassment or abuse at work”, six per cent of public health workers responded yes! In answer to the question : “In the last 12 months I have witnessed bullying at work”, incredibly 39 per cent stated yes. 21 per cent said they had been subjected to bullying in the previous twelve months. NSW Health results are worse in these areas than the rest of the public sector and have been for years. Why? Why is it that patients or visitors often engage in such behaviour towards nurses and midwives? Why is it that we or other health colleagues can sometimes treat each other unkindly? A stressful environment? Patients and families feeling at their worst? Overworked? Understaffed? Budgetary pressures? No respect? A sense of entitlement? And worse, calling out these behaviours is not so easy. When someone comes forward to make their voice heard, they are often victimised all over again via the “investigation/grievance process”. We just need to do better.

Vaccination Special

Who is responsible for what during the Phase 1a rollout?

The NSW Government, via NSW Health, is responsible for administering the vaccine to identified priority health staff, quarantine workers, COVID clinic staff and testers, emergency personnel including ambulance and the like. The Commonwealth Government is responsible (via contracted providers) to deliver the vaccine to aged care residents and staff.

Do I have to take time off work to get vaccinated?

Public health staff will be scheduled for vaccination appointments during rostered hours. If this is not possible, paid time/award entitlements will apply if outside ordinary hours. As the Commonwealth is delivering the vaccine directly at Aged Care facilities, staff should be able to access these in work time.

If I don’t take up the offer to be vaccinated in Phase 1a, will I be deployed to work in another location?

The Commonwealth Government has to date advised that COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory. Therefore, the rights of an employer to compel its staff to be vaccinated are very limited, i.e., there is no public health order legally requiring it. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health, for example, has said it has no current intention to seek or require staff to be redeployed who do not take up the opportunity to be vaccinated during Phase 1a.

Will this approach change?

The approach of not making vaccination mandatory could well be re-considered if the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 changes, or more evidence regarding vaccine efficacy in reducing transmission emerges, especially in high-risk settings. This will be determined based on health advice provided to the Commonwealth Government and/or NSW Government.

Do I need any extra training as a nurse to administer the COVID-19 vaccine?

Core COVID-19 training modules have been developed by the Commonwealth Department of Health in partnership with the Australian College of Nursing. Additional training modules have been similarly developed specifically for the supply and administration of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca® vaccines. These are mandatory to complete prior to any involvement in a vaccination program.

Can I choose which COVID-19 vaccine I will receive?

The type of COVID-19 vaccine offered will depend on a number of variables, including which priority group the person is part of, the person’s work or residential location, and the quantity/supply of vaccine available. It is currently anticipated that the AstraZeneca® vaccine will be the predominant one used. It does not require the same refrigeration requirements of the Pfizer vaccine. This will make storage and distribution easier and more widespread. At present, it is recommended that you have two doses of the same COVID-19 vaccine to be adequately immunised.

When it comes to your rights and entitlements at work, NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda has the answers.

What are the postvaccination observation requirements?

All vaccine recipients must be observed for a minimum of 15 minutes post-vaccination. However, for persons with an allergic history or other medical compromise, it would be generally for 30 minutes. Vaccination clinics/points must have the appropriate equipment and be clinically prepared to manage any case of anaphylaxis.

Will I still need to wear PPE at work after vaccination?

Vaccination is only one additional layer of protection. So at least in the short term while we monitor and track vaccine efficacy, duration of effect and impact on transmission, we will still need to continue with all recommended PPE measures in place to control COVID-19.

Can I get the regular flu vaccine around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine?

This is a very topical question as we approach winter. At this stage the expert advice is that the preferred minimum interval between administration of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca® vaccines and any influenza vaccine is 14 days.

Who falls into Phase 1b?

The Commonwealth Government has announced that the following persons fall into this phase: adults aged 70 years and over; other healthcare workers not included in Phase 1a; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people older than 55 years; other adults with an underlying medical condition warranting vaccination; other critical or high-risk workers (e.g., defence, police, fire, meat processing).

More information

COVID-19: administration of vaccination FAQs

https://thelamp.com.au/ professional-issues/covid19/ covid-19-administration-ofvaccination-faqs/

Applications close 5PM on 31 JULY 2021

www.nswnma.asn.au

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Scholarships for the academic year 2022

Applications for the Edith Cavell Trust Scholarships are being accepted from 1 May 2021, closing 31 July 2021, for studies being undertaken in the academic year 2022. Members or Associate Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association or the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (NSW Branch) are invited to apply. All grants, awards or loans shall be made to financially assist nurses, midwives, assistants in nursing, assistants in midwifery (including students of those disciplines), and accredited nursing or midwifery organisations, schools and faculties in the furtherance of: (i) accredited nursing or midwifery studies; (ii) such academic research programs as are approved by the Trustees in the theory or practice of nursing or midwifery work; or (iii) clinical nursing or midwifery education programs at graduate, post-graduate and continuing education professional development level; in accordance with a number of categories. Full details of the scholarship categories, how to apply and to obtain the official application form is available from the NSWNMA website. Prior to applying, please ensure you have read the Edith Cavell Trust Scholarship Rules.