FAQ for our workforce

All staff, whether or not they are in healthcare with patient contact, should not come to work if they:

•  have a fever

•  have a symptom, even a minor symptom, of respiratory illness, such as a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion

•  Are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test

•  Have tested positive to COVID-19

•  Are deemed a close contact and required to self-isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19

 

If you feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones, stay home and get tested for COVID-19.

Be familiar with the Alliance Community Mandatory Notification Protocol.

If you test positive for COVID-19, the Public Health Unit may review and assess your close contacts and provide advice in relation to your medical care and isolation requirements.
 

You are required to advise the branch office if you are:

a. Are being tested for COVID-19

b. Test positive for COVID-19 and report any quarantine or  isolation requirements that you have.

Our branch will then link you into the current government advice for income support for individuals.

Refer: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/coronavirus-covid-19-and-how-we-may-help

You are also able to access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), please contact your branch office for details.

A medical clearance will be required to return to work. It provides peace of mind for all parties.

 

 

Escalate your concerns with your Manager or Coordinator.

It is also useful to read the relevant Health Department fact sheets: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-resources

 

Yes, you require a medical clearance to return to work. It gives all parties piece of mind.

The first thing you should do is to have a respectful chat with your work colleague to express your concerns.

If you remain concerned following your conversation, discuss these concerns with the Coordinator or Manager.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other colds and flus and include:

•   Fever

•   Sore throat

•   Cough

•   Fatigue

•   Difficulty breathing

•   Loss of smell and taste

While COVID-19 is a concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying these symptoms could be suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness – not necessarily COVID-19.

Always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, hand washing practice and physical distancing.

If the medical officer assesses the person to have symptoms and characteristics that aligned to COVID-19, they will be tested. Without patient consent, a doctor cannot generally perform testing. However, if a doctor is concerned about a patient who has refused testing, they will contact the public health unit for advice. There are powers under state and territory-based legislation to compel testing in certain circumstances and the Public Health Unit has further powers to compel.

PPE = Personal Protective Equipment

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. The appropriate PPE is prescribed based on a risk assessment of your work tasks.

When caring for care recipients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, health care workers are required to wear appropriate PPE which may include masks, gloves, eye shields and/or gowns, to protect themselves from infectious illnesses and help stop the spread of disease. You will be provided training and information on how to use PPE if you are required to use PPE with your client.

The PPE required will depend on the type of interaction and the health status of the care recipient.

Risk assessments are conducted to ensure all PPE, including masks are appropriate to your requirements and as per Government Health Guideline recommendations.

All staff are required to practice social distancing and good hygiene practises.

It is important that our health workforce remains strong and healthy during this time. 

Should our support workers be wearing masks at work?

• For NSW: All support workers must wear a surgical face mask when providing in home services and follow current health order directives about wearing masks when accompanying clients into the community. All clients are strongly encouraged to wear masks when a support worker is providing in home services and follow current health order directives about wearing masks when in the community
• For ACT: All support workers delivering services must wear face masks
• For VIC: There is no requirement for support workers to wear face masks whilst delivering services, unless when accompanying clients into retail settings or high density areas
• For QLD: All support workers to wear face masks unless accompanying clients on Public Transport, in taxi’s and rideshares, indoor retail outlets, vulnerable settings (aged care, hospital and disability accommodation), airports and during flights
• For SA: All support workers delivering care in the home must wear face masks

 

Risk assessments are conducted to ensure PPE protocols are as per Government Health Guidelines.

Under current guidelines, healthcare workers should wear masks if they have close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Healthcare workers are not otherwise required to wear a mask unless there is a medical reason for doing so.

 

Each state Department of Health has dedicated COVID-19 testing resources.

If you are having a medical emergency, please call 000.

GP respiratory clinics around the country to clinically assess people with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms (a fever, cough, shortness of breath, a sore throat and/or tiredness).

Find out below if there is a GP respiratory clinic in your state/territory and near your area and how to register for an appointment:

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland 

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Fever clinics Fever clinics operated by public hospitals are generally staffed by nurses. They are not the same as a GP respiratory clinic but they also help to reduce pressure on emergency departments and other services. You can either access these through calling the National Coronavirus Help Line on 1800 020 080 or by their respective state depart of health website.

Alliance Community has an obligation to staff, clients, patients & participants to ensure the safety of all concerned and will continue to monitor and update guidelines and processes based on the health departments recommendations.

As your employer, we request that we are kept informed of any change in your status and your progress as per the Alliance Community Mandatory Notification Protocol.

• Smartraveller: coronavirus information for Australia travellers, and current travel advice. 

• Department of Home Affairs: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: coronavirus information for consumers about travel changes, event cancellations, and price increases

If you believe, your circumstances are within the criteria above or if you wish to speak to someone regarding your personal circumstances, please contact your Alliance Community Coordinator or Manager IMMEDIATELY.

Whilst we are reaching out to our clients and staff more than ever, we encourage you to let us know directly if you have any concerns. Alternatively these resources are available:

• Check out our Wellbeing Hub: Producing a range of additional resources to support the health and emotional wellbeing of our employees. (insert link)

• Speak to your Coordinator or Manager about our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

 

General advice for looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak:

• The Federal Government’s Head to Health website can help you find the right digital health resources for your needs. This includes resources on how to support children and others: https://headtohealth.gov.au/

• Beyond Blue also have a page dedicated to looking after your mental health during this time: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak