27 September 2022
An online service – offering at-home treatment for children who have contracted COVID-19 – has safer minimum staffing levels following advocacy from the ANMF (SA Branch).
Members at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) recently raised concerns in relation to the after-hours staffing levels of COVIDKids.
Their concerns focused on the safety of nurses working within the community without a supporting staff member at the clinic.
They were also worried that some patients would be sent to the clinic only to find it unattended.
After writing to executive at the WCH, the ANMF (SA Branch) was successful in securing a guaranteed minimum staffing level of two nurses on all shifts and strategies implemented to prevent unsafe staffing levels from occurring again.
Members have also been assured that if they are required to relieve within other WCH departments, they can promptly return to the COVIDKids unit when needed.
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said it was a positive result for our members.
“Due to our advocacy this important service can offer an adequate level of care for children and young people as they recover from COVID-19,” Ms Dabars said.
“It will also ensure our members feel safe at work – it was unacceptable to have nursing staff in the community without a guaranteed contact offering support back at the clinic.
“I would like to thank our members for raising this serious issue with us and without their advocacy we would not have achieved this outcome.”
To raise issues at your workplace contact us at
Member Assist.
You can join the ANMF (SA Branch)
here.