Coronavirus has been seen in more than 30 countries. The virus can spread from person to person and officials recommend simple steps to avoid becoming infected.
Dr Adele McCormick from the University of Westminster demonstrated how germs spread and what the best methods are to avoid catching a virus.
Source – BBC World Service
SIPTU Health representatives have today (Sunday, 8th March) welcomed written confirmation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that all barriers to the recruitment of health staff has now been fully lifted in an effort to support critical clinical services in dealing with COVID-19.
SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “The fact that there will be no obstruction to the recruitment of essential health workers can only assist in the fight against COVID-19. Our members are on the front line of our health service and are committed to doing all they can to protect their patients, their families and the general public against the spread of this virus. It is essential our members have the appropriate safe staffing levels, resources, including personal protection equipment and training, to ensure they are best placed to fight the threat of coronavirus against our communities.”
The HSE also confirmed it will fast-track all other avenues of appointment in order to bolster staffing numbers as quickly as possible, including reaching out to health workers who left the service for reasons of retirement, career break and secondments.
He added: “The fight against COVID-19 will require a multi-layered approach to include screening in the community. Our members within the National Ambulance Service will be central to this effort by undertaking the screening of patients or members of the public deemed to be at risk of the virus. If they are to be successful, it is vital all resources required are available to them in the weeks and months ahead.”
SIPTU Health Division is one of the largest unions within the health service with over 42,000 members. The union represents a wide variety of grades such as Paramedics, Radiographers, Health Care Assistants, Nurses & Midwives and General Support Staff including Catering Assistants, Porters, Household and Security personnel.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has issued an FAQ document to provide Human Resources (HR) guidance for a SIPTU Health Division members in relation to leave associated with COVID-19.
The general principles to apply to the treatment of COVID-19 infections for SIPTU Health members include:
Read the full document HERE.
SIPTU Public Service representatives are engaging with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health to prepare and plan for dealing with Covid-19 (coronavirus) on the island of Ireland.
Our focus is to ensure that HSE management and all other Public Service employers in Local Government, Education, the State and Community sectors provide clear and updated guidelines for our members.
We are asking the employers to ensure that escalation plans are flagged well in advance, that training and adequate protective equipment are provided and that support for all public service staff is prioritised.
The advice from public health professionals is that the risk of of being infected by Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Ireland is still low, with three confirmed cases as of 4th March. However, all SIPTU members must play their part in containing the disease by accessing and following reliable up-to-date information, washing hands properly and frequently and self-isolating, if required.
In cases of enforced absences i.e., where there is direction and/or medical advice for an employee to self-isolate, normal pay should continue to be paid. This should also apply where an employee self-isolates in accordance with the up-to-date guidance of the HSE.
As always, the protection of the public and our communities is the key focus for all our members in the public service.
We encourage all members to familiarise themselves with the guidance provided in their workplaces and to follow the advice communicated through the media by the HSE and relevant agencies or through the links below.
Links to relevant websites and information:
COVID-19 updates – how the health service is responding to the global spread of coronavirus
Department of Foreign Affairs – updated travel information and advice
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre – information for health professionals
HSE:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/advice-for-people-returning-from-affected-areas.html
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/coronavirus/
WHO Guidelines
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance
SIPTU representatives have met with National Ambulance Service (NAS) management to discuss the concerns raised by some SIPTU members in the preparation and planning stages of dealing with any outbreak of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on the island of Ireland.
Nationally, the National Crisis Management team are giving regular updates and information to the group of unions.
The meeting exclusively focused on the NAS frontline staff and discussed the training, information, support and equipment in place for ambulance professionals.
Below is an update from SIPTU representatives on foot of our engagement this morning.
Should members have any concerns or require further information please raise them in the first instance with your manager and contact the union if needed to raise them with the Senior Leadership Team who will discuss this developing situation with your union.
Training
SIPTU representatives asked NAS management to outline what training is being given to staff to prepare them to deal with cases of coronavirus.
Equipment
Management were asked to confirm that the Personal Protective Equipment required to deal with coronavirus is in place, is appropriate for use and is of a sufficiently high standard to protect staff health and safety.
The union side raised an issue with the goggles as they mist after prolonged use.
Processes
The union side queried the circumstances in which a crew or sole responder will be sent to a possible coronavirus case.
The union cited a couple of examples from recent days where the hospital did not have this information and NAS management are examining the circumstances with Public Health.
Resources
SIPTU representatives stressed that the call volume will increase in relation to possible or confirmed cases of coronavirus and it will have an impact on the workload of staff in the NAS.
Possible Expansion of work of NAS
The Department of Health is currently considering options to test people in their home for coronavirus, to avoid transporting people unnecessarily in an ambulance to an emergency department unless the patient is acutely unwell and requires going to the hospital.
Developing Plans
This situation is evolving and while management have plans for further escalations should the time come, at this point the training, information and equipment outlined above is deemed acceptable to keep staff safe.
Management commit to appraise SIPTU representatives of all developments and to meet regularly to address members concerns.