Operations Bulletin – 7 January

Update on staff furloughing guidance

Staff who have tested positive to COVID-19 are now able to return to work on day 8 and don’t need to wait for any further clearance from Western Health if they meet the following criteria:

• Are asymptomatic, or symptoms have resolved,
• Return a negative rapid antigen test on day 7.

Staff who return a positive rapid antigen test on day 7 or are immunocompromised or take medications that suppress the immune system should contact racdr@wh.org.au for further guidance.

For instructions on staff taking a rapid antigen test, click here. Staff are required to log results for every rapid antigen test they take at at this link.

Rapid antigen tests to replace PCR tests for patients undergoing urgent elective surgery

Effective today (7 January 2022), Western Health will be using rapid antigen tests, not PCR tests, for pre-operative patients. With the PCR testing system experiencing high demand, this change will provide timely access to results.

New autoreply message for Western Health COVID Staff Enquiries email

Due to a high volume of email enquiries, the COVID Staff Enquiries Helpdesk has introduced a new autoreply message to the Western Health COVID Staff (whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au] email. The autoreply provides advice addressing the most frequently asked questions directed to the email, including what to do if you are COVID positive or a household or social contact. Please read the autoreply message carefully, apply the relevant guidance and inform your manager of your status. If the autoreply doesn’t cover your specific question, please follow up by email.

In most cases staff, unless staff have been diagnosed as COVID positive or are symptomatic, they are able to return to work immediately without further approval or authorization and if they follow additional precautionary measure. Staff and Managers are encouraged to review the Return to work following exposure of COVID diagnosis QRG available on the microsite here.

The autoreply message that staff will now receive is included below for your reference.

Thank you for your email. Please read this email carefully, as it is likely to answer most enquiries. You can follow up by email if this reply does not answer your question.

If you are emailing because you have tested positive to COVID (either rapid antigen or nose/throat PCR):
We will get back to you soon. Do not attend work. If you have worked on site at Western Health within 48 hours of testing positive (PCR or rapid antigen test), please contact the Western Health Contact Tracing Team.

Please include as much information as possible in your email, about when you tested positive, your exposure, what shifts you have worked, PPE worn, what symptoms you have, and any contacts you may have generated at work.

If your email is regarding advice about a community COVID exposure, or travel requirements:
Please visit the Department of Health website and follow the relevant advice before seeking further advice. We will not be providing routine advice about COVID exposures at home or in the community.

If you have a social exposure:
You may continue to attend work if asymptomatic.  You must complete 3 asymptomatic PCR tests weekly as part of surveillance program until 14 days post exposure OR complete 5 x daily RAT tests.  Please present to the COVID Testing Clinic at Sunshine Hospital or Footscray Hospital during opening hours for further instructions. You must also continue to wear an N95 at all times while at work up until day 14 after your exposure and avoid shared spaces with your mask off.

If any of your tests are positive you must present to the Sunshine COVID Testing Clinic for a nose/throat PCR as soon as possible, notify your manager and not attend work.

If you are living with somebody who has COVID
Regardless of face-to-face time, you will not generally be able to return to work. You are required to isolate for 7 days.  You must also have a COVID test (PCR or rapid antigen test) on day 6 from when the person in your household first tested positive.  Please follow all Department of Health directives – we will not routinely be providing further advice about length of isolation or how to return to work. On your return to work you must also continue to wear an N95 up until day 14 from when the person in your household first tested positive and avoid shared spaces with your mask off.  We also request that you complete 3 PCR tests on D8, D11 and D13 OR daily rapid antigen tests until day 14.

Please email us the details so we are aware of your situation. You are required to inform your manager and People & Culture. You are NOT required to isolate if somebody else in your house is a close contact.

If you have returned from international travel:
You cannot return to work until received a negative test (preferably done within the first 24 hours of your return). After this, you may return to work, with daily rapid antigen tests for the first week, prior to your shift. Please present to the COVID Testing Clinic at Sunshine Hospital or Footscray Hospital during opening hours to collect a kit of rapid antigen tests. This situation is changing regularly – please see the latest guidance on the Department of Health website. (Please note there is no special leave for this quarantine.)

Regarding special leave (for exposures, testing, or otherwise):
People and Culture are able to provide further information regarding leave entitlements.   Staff are encouraged to view the information available on the microsite here to answer their query in the first instance.  A query can also be lodged with People and Culture here.

Community COVID exposures: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist

Travel: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travel-and-transport-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19

For other enquiries, we will get back to you soon.