Welcome to what will be another big week as we continue our response to the changing COVID-19 situation. This is my first day back from annual leave and I would like to thank everyone for their intensive efforts over the last couple of weeks to ensure TPCH can continue to meet the extra demands on our services. A special thanks to Karen Leighton for her excellent job in covering while I’ve been away.

I commend staff on their resilience and flexibility in the face of the many changes we are currently experiencing, with the knowledge that all of us are impacted in one way or another at this time.

Accessing rapid antigen tests 

As mentioned in today’s Metro North Incident Controller message, there is a limited supply of rapid antigen tests across Metro North.

Staff who are identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 positive person may be able to access a test from our staff only collection sites:

• Brighton Health Campus wellness centre, Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm
• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital outside Pulse Café, Monday to Friday 9am-4.15pm

If you meet the close contact criteria, you will need to show your ID and complete registration. Please remember to be polite.

Please report any positive RAT results via the Queensland Health RAT portal.

Our fever clinics have some RATs available for members of the community who are close contacts or symptomatic who are unable to get a PCR test.

A return to work reminder

A reminder that staff who are asymptomatic positive cases OR close contacts who return a negative RAT result on day 6, should both return to work on day 8. You will be required to follow additional PPE and testing rules as outlined previously.

New guidelines for critical workers outline that close contacts who remove themselves from a COVID-positive household contact, and return a negative test on Day 2, can return to work provided they also return a negative RAT before every shift. The risk management plan for each staff member includes the following:

• Separate from the diagnosed case and COVID-19 RAT test negative on day 2 after separation, prior to commencing work
• Must be asymptomatic – this is checked by the Work Unit or Hospital Manager prior to the staff member commencing work each day
• Daily Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to the commencement of each work shift from day of return to work until 7 days since the date the diagnosed case.
• For 14 days post exposure:
  • Wear a P2/N95 respirator in clinical areas in accordance with the PPE escalation level; and
  • wear surgical mask in non-clinical areas (e.g. staff only spaces) and travel to and from work.
  • Do not enter shared spaces such as tearooms and do not participate in any staff gatherings in the workplace where masks are likely to be removed
  • Careful monitoring for symptoms.

If you need support with a place to stay, please contact Metro North via the hotline 07 3646 5500 which is open 8am – 5pm, 7 days a week.

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.

Self-reporting RAT results

Queensland Health has now created a new website for self-reporting positive COVID-19 cases identified via RATs. All the information on when to get a PCR test vs when to get a RAT is available here.

This new process will see more accurate case number reporting and should ease demand on PCR testing required. Self-reporting of RAT results can be done here.

Postponement of non-urgent planned care

A reminder that Metro North has made the decision to postpone all non-urgent planned care for the week where it is clinically safe and appropriate to do so.  The postponement of planned care is required due to the demands of COVID-19 on our resources, including positive cases, fever clinic demand and vaccination services.

Planned care services that may be postponed include outpatient services and non-urgent elective procedures. All urgent planned care will proceed as normal and, where possible, other avenues for planned care may be considered.  This situation will be monitored closely and a further decision regarding recommencement will be provided on Friday 14 January 2022.

Please note: We are treating all patients regardless of their vaccination status.

Hospital access

Staff are reminded to use the QAS corridor to enter and exit the hospital; not the main entrance. Patient and visitor access is via the main entrance. This arrangement is currently in place to minimise the risk of transmission.

If you see a patient or visitor exiting via the QAS corridor, please redirect them courteously to the main entrance.

Supporting you

If you need support, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance. Please speak to your line manager in the first instance, or alternatively, members of TPCH Executive Leadership Team and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) are available and will endeavour to help in whatever ways possible.

TPCH EOC can be contacted on ext. 6127 or via email: EOC-TPCH@health.qld.gov.au

Other TPCH NewsA special congratulations to Dr Pat Aldons who last week celebrated 50 years of service to Queensland Health. As a long standing respiratory physician, Dr Aldons has provided care to thousands of patients during his medical career and is a well-known and respected member of TPCH community, having witnessed the hospital’s many changes over the years. He is a strong advocate for TPCH, and takes pride in continuing the hospital’s reputation of excellence, through his patient-focused approach. We thank Dr Aldons for his excellent contribution to TPCH.

Tami Photinos
Executive Director