(PLEASE PRINT THIS MEMO FROM THE LINKED PDF Childcare Kindergarten Permits and Transport for WH employees 6 August 2020 OR KEEP A SCREENSHOT ON YOUR PHONE OR THE PHONE OF THE PERSON ASSISTING YOU WITH TRANSPORTATION, IN CASE REQUIRED TO SHOW AS EVIDENCE, ALONG WITH A COPY OF YOUR WORK ID – AND ROSTER IF POSSIBLE)
Further to my memorandum yesterday regarding the introduction of Worker Permits and the application of this for Western Health and our employees, many employees have sought clarification regarding the ‘Access to Onsite Childcare / Kindergarten Permit’.
I understand that some childcare facilities have been requesting the Access to Onsite Childcare / Kindergarten Permit in order to continue to provide services to our employees.
The Department of Health and Human Services have published directions overnight issued by the Public Health Commander which addresses the Permitted Worker Permit Scheme and Access to Onsite Childcare / Kindergarten Permit Scheme.
These directions re-enforce the information provided in my memorandum circulated yesterday in relation to the Worker Permit, and that hospital and health workers are exempt from requiring a permit provided that you carry employer-issued photographic identification, which clearly identifies the employer.
The directions also confirm that a hospital and health worker is not required to be issued with, and to hold an ‘Access to Onsite Childcare / Kindergarten Permit’ to access and obtain onsite childcare and kindergarten services provided that you have photographic personal identification issued by the organisation and identifies the place of work in that capacity.
We understand that these directions will be communicated with and circulated to childcare and kindergarten facilities during today, however should there be any confusion with your childcare / kindergarten provider the directions can be accessed at the following link
These directions also address questions in relation to any of our employees who are reliant on another person to transport them to and from a Western Health workplace. Specifically it is identified that an adult is permitted to travel to or from a work premise without a current Permitted Worker permit in circumstances where they are transporting a dependent or a person they ordinarily reside with, to or from the work premises. This is in accordance with a current Permitted Worker Permit rules. andencompasses circumstances where, for reasons including because of age, impairment, medical condition, disability or other reasons, a person is not able to transport themselves to the work premises and require a parent, guardian, carer or other responsible adult to transport them to their work premises.
In this situation I am advising you take a photocopy of your Western Heath staff identification and where possible a copy of your work roster and provide this to the person responsible for transporting you, along with a copy of this memo either printed or on their phone.
In confirming the message from yesterday’s memorandum, whilst it is not anticipated to be the case, if in the event that you are issued with an infringement whilst travelling to or from a Western Health workplace for the purpose of attending to your role (or for somebody responsible for transporting you to and/or from a Western Health workplace), we will support you with providing the necessary evidence that indicates you were required to be at the workplace.
Again, thank you for your ongoing care and support of our patients and our community.
Regards
Suellen Bruce
Executive Director – People, Culture & Communication