Moonlighting nurses warned
DOUBLE-DIP QUARANTINE HOTEL SHIFTS SLAMMED
Nurses treating vulnerable patients in Auckland EDs have also been working lucrative shifts at managed quarantine hotels — sparking warnings from a nurses’ union.
Nurses Society of New Zealand (NSNZ) has been warning its 5500 members against working for more than one employer due to the risk of Covid-19 infection and has raised concerns with all three District Health Boards in Auckland.
It comes months after Waitakere Hospital changed its protocols due to transmission concerns about treating both Covid-19 patients and people on different wards.
National Party health spokesman Shane Reti has slammed the Government for allowing this to happen, saying it’s “completely unacceptable” and he is calling for it to end urgently.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins said last night he was seeking more advice about the issue. Nurses in managed isolation and quarantine facilities understood infection control and used appropriate PPE, Hipkins said.
“However, we are constantly reviewing policies and procedures to ensure everything is being done to keep New Zealanders safe.”
The Ministry of Health defended the moonlighting, saying the safety procedures at managed quarantine hotels are robust and sufficient.
“This is both legal and well managed within the sector,” a ministry spokesperson said.
When asked how many nurses they were aware of working in EDs and managed quarantine facilities, they said “some” and wouldn’t comment further.
The Herald understands nurses working at managed quarantine hotels were paid about $500 a shift by Government-partnered company Geneva Healthcare.
Nurses’ unions wouldn’t comment on how much its members were being paid but said it was a “good earner for them”.
It’s unknown if hospital staff have been working at Jet Park where positive Covid-19 cases are staying.
A spokesperson for all Auckland DHBs (including Waitemata¯, Auckland and Counties Manukau) said they encouraged staff to keep their managers informed of any work they do outside of the DHBs so that they can support them to remain safe.
“Nurses working in our EDs are also a group who are highly trained in infection prevention and control. We routinely care for patients with infectious diseases through our EDs and are confident measures are in place to protect the safety of our patients, staff and wha¯nau.
“There have been no known instances in Auckland of a DHB worker infecting a patient at any time during the pandemic in the hospital setting.”
David Wills, director of NSNZ, said the union had been approached by a handful of members who were working in managed isolation or quarantine facilities, as well as working for DHBs, including in EDs.
“Our advice to such members has been that they must notify their managers in their respective DHB that they are working in managed isolation,” Wills said.
He said they had sent out dozens of notices to their members warning them against working for two employers given the risk of Covid-19 infection.
“Since March the union had
seen many cases of members being required to stop working for more than one employer because of Covid19 control measures.
“Now that we are in Covid-19 level 1, and there is no community transmission, this may no longer be an absolute necessity — except for nurses actually working in high-risk areas and in roles in managed isolation, quarantine, border roles and testing.
“Case-by-case consideration should be appropriate.”
A spokesman for another union, New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), said they were unable to comment on the issue at present.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed the ministry was aware that some nurses had been working at managed isolation facilities, via a contract agency, and at local DHBs. But they were satisfied that no one was being put in danger.
The spokesperson said nurses working at managed isolation facilities are provided with guidance on procedures, including how to reduce risk of transmission between workplaces and training in PPE and infection control.
They also received health checks and were offered testing for Covid19.
A clinical governance group was overseeing all of these matters, the spokesperson said.
Reti said he would be raising his concerns with Hipkins and offering some advice.
Geneva Healthcare did not respond to a request for comment.