Tami Photinos
Executive Director
The Prince Charles Hospital
Welcome to 2022. As we enter the new year, TPCH continues its response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in our community. We appreciate this is a time of change and uncertainty and we thank everyone for their great flexibility and commitment to keeping our patients, staff and community safe.
A few important updates for today:
Contact tracing
We have a number of staff at TPCH who have tested positive to COVID-19 and are currently in isolation. We wish them well in their recovery and look forward to having them back at work in the near future.
To allow us to support impacted staff to return to the workplace in the required timeframes, we ask that staff and/or line managers email the name and contact number of the relevant staff member/s to: TPCHContactTracing@health.qld.gov.au.
Staff testing clinic
Today TPCH opened a dedicated Staff Only Fever Clinic located in Outpatients B (former Children’s Outpatients Department) on the Ground Floor opposite Lifts D. Staff and TPCH campus partners requiring a COVID-19 test can now get tested at the new location. Currently, the Staff Fever Clinic is a walk-in clinic, however an online booking system is planned to be established in the coming days. Operating hours will be confirmed tomorrow.
Ward 1G
Many staff may be aware that Ward 1G has opened as a COVID-19 ward to support the increasing number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospital admission. To ensure the safety of everyone, we ask that staff reduce unnecessary travel in and around Ward 1G, and adhere to all signage.
N95 masks
Please be reminded that all staff who have face-to-face patient contact are required to wear a P2/N95 mask. This includes non-clinical staff who face-to-face contact with patients (e.g. food services staff who deliver patient meals). Please wear the P2/N95 mask you are fitted for, and do not wear a different size mask just because it may be more comfortable. For any enquiries, contact Bradley Maunder via email: Bradley.Maunder@health.qld.gov.au
Note: all patients are encouraged to wear a surgical mask while receiving care.
COVID leave entitlements
With many staff absent from the workplace due to COVID (either because of illness or quarantine), managers are asked to familiarise themselves with the Queensland Health COVID leave flow available on QHEPS. This document outlines leave entitlements for staff. If you have any questions about this, please contact our local HR team.
Working from home
With the current surge in positive COVID cases in the community, staff who are able to effectively perform their roles from home be supported to do so. This can occur if a staff member is deemed to be able to effectively perform the full scope of their role from home, with the stipulation that they can be called back to the workplace if required. Staff who wish to be considered for a work from home arrangement, must complete a flexible work arrangement form and submit to their line manager for review.COVID-19 Working from Home request form | COVID-19 Approval process flowchart