Health workers denied masks – and told they have to provide own

STAFF at a major Geelong pathology laboratory have been refused access to company-supplied face masks and must provide their own disposable masks if they wish to be protected.

Correspondence to staff from leaders at Australian Clinical Laboratories seen by the Geelong Advertiser states Clinical Labs will only provide masks for all employees either living or working in the regulated area of greater Melbourne area or Mitchell Shire.

The letter said the company would provide masks to customer facing staff in other regional areas such as Geelong, but not to all staff.

“In relation to … scientific staff that are working in nonpublic facing areas, we will continue to support those who choose to wear a mask outside the DHHS recommendations (self-supplied),” the letter said.

Medical Scientists Association of Victoria secretary Paul Elliott said there had been a “really strong call” from staff for masks to be provided.

“There are circumstances where social distancing is really difficult, if not impossible,” Mr Elliott said. “I just can’t begin to understand why any company – let alone a company that’s involved in health – could say no and refuse to provide PPE in this environment.”

ACL’s national director of clinical pathology Associate Professor Chris Barnes said the company was continuing to follow DHHS advice. “Based on the latest advice from the

DHHS stating that health care workers must wear a level 1 or type 1 disposable surgical mask in public-facing areas – particularly where adequate social distancing is not possible, Clinical Labs is providing masks to all health care workers who fall under this category,” he said.