ASMOFQ takes QH to QIRC

Queensland Health has not followed the recommendations of the industrial watchdog to provide important information regarding the health and safety of doctors and other health care workers in the state’s public hospitals.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation Queensland (ASMOFQ), the industrial organisation for doctors in the state public hospital system, has taken Queensland Health to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) over a number of important workplace issues.

“ASMOFQ has concerns for the health and safety of public hospital doctors across the state,” ASMOFQ President Dr Hau Tan said.

“Doctors and other health care workers are putting their own health at risk to care for COVID patients.

“We had to fight and take Queensland Health to the QIRC over personal protective equipment (PPE) issues earlier in this pandemic.

“More recently, we have been asking Queensland Health for information regarding fit-testing of doctors for P2/N95 masks, and also for the current workforce plans for this latest wave.

“Earlier this month, the QIRC recommended that Queensland Health provide this information.

“But at the latest hearing this week, Queensland Health confirmed that it had not complied with the Commission’s recommendations to provide data on the number of doctors and healthcare workers who had been fit-tested so far.

“Furthermore, Queensland Health had not complied with another QIRC recommendation to provide ASMOFQ with the COVID-19 workforce surge plans or COVID-19 safe workplace plans for all Hospital and Health Services (HHSs).

“We also demanded that Queensland Health provide easily accessible and up-to-date information regarding COVID testing for staff at each and every HHS across the state.

“Public hospital doctors have gone above and beyond for the past two years, and are already pushed to the limit.

“As doctors put themselves in harm’s way to care for patients during this current Omicron wave, we need to see more from Queensland Health to protect their health and safety."

The hearing continues.