Louise Oriti, Executive Director, Redcliffe Hospital
As you’ve probably heard, Queensland has entered its fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. In response to this latest wave, all Metro North hospitals and facilities will be making some changes to support our COVID response as of tomorrow (Friday).
These are not big changes, and they’re all things we’ve done before.
There will be no changes to planned care. Visitors remain welcome. We don’t need a concierge, and volunteers and students will come to work tomorrow as they usually would. As Metro North’s Chief Medical Officer described it earlier today – it’s business as usual, with masks.
Here’s a quick list of what everyone at Redcliffe needs to know:
Masks are back for all staff
Hospital staff are once again required to wear a flat surgical mask. This includes all parts of the hospital, clinical, non-clinical and administrative areas. In a practical sense, it means putting on a surgical mask as soon as you walk through the hospital’s doors at the start of your shift or work day.
Masks in the Emergency Department
Staff working in the Emergency Department are back in fit-tested P2/N95 masks. This includes both Emergency Department staff as well as nursing and operational staff who enter the Emergency Department during their shift or work day. Before you enter the ED, you need to be wearing an P2/N95 mask.
Protective eyewear
Protective eyewear is not universally required, but if staff choose to wear protective eyewear, this will be supported.
Masks for visitors
Visitors remain welcome, but we will be asking them to wear a flat surgical mask when at the hospital. New signage is being rolled out at hospital entrances to support this message.
RATs for staff
We continue to provide free RAT kits for staff. Talk to your NUM or line manager to make sure that you have some ready for when you need them.
COVID-positive staff
The rules for COVID-positive staff have not changed. If you are positive for COVID-19, you must not come to work for at least seven days after your positive test. You should also register your positive RAT online and let your line manager know as soon as possible.
Staff who are close or household contacts
Hospital staff who become close or household contacts need to monitor themselves for symptoms for ten days and test themselves with a RAT if they become symptomatic. If they are free of symptoms and have not returned a positive test, they can come to work as usual, wearing a mask. Metro North Health recommends staff who are close or household contacts should test themselves with a RAT every two days for five days. Even if testing negative, symptomatic household contacts must not come to work.
If you’re unwell or symptomatic
The rules around this haven’t changed either. If you are unwell or symptomatic for COVID, do not come to work. Test yourself with a RAT or access a PCR test. Let your line manager know as soon as possible. Even if you test negative, if you’re unwell or symptomatic, do not come to work.
Fit testing
There’s been no change to the requirement for all staff to be fit tested for two P2/N95 masks. This requirement is part of everyone’s mandatory training. If required, arrange a fit test recertification.
Special Staff Forum tomorrow
Thank you to everyone who joined our Special Staff Forum this afternoon to learn more about these changes. We’ll be holding another tomorrow at 8am. In the meantime, make sure you read the message from Metro North’s Health Incident Controller and Chief Medical Officer, and if you have any questions, talk to your NUM or line manager.
Louise Oriti
Executive Director
Redcliffe Hospital