AWU reps meet with Chief Medical Officer
03 | 06 |2009
Representatives from the AWU have met with Queensland Health's Chief Medical Officer Dr Young in regard to the safety of AWU members working in Qld Hospitals and other State Government areas.
Dr Young provided an update and reassured the AWU representatives that all precautionary measures were currently in place to ensure the safety of staff. Dr Young also said that the situation was being assessed on a daily basis.
Dr Young provided an information sheet which provided the following information:
The document provides "interim recommendations for surgical mask and P2 mask use during the current CONTAIN phase of pandemic influenza preparedness in response to the international H1N1 influenza 09 (human swine influenza) outbreak".
COMMUNITY AND NON-HEALTH CARE WORKPLACES
The information sheet suggests "There is currently no reason to wear a facemask for protection against H1N1 influenza 09 unless you are in close contact with persons suspected to have the infection. This will normally only apply to health care workers attending patients and to carers in the same house as people who are suspected or confirmed cases."
The AWU is in liaison with both Queensland Health and officers’ form the Public Sector Industrial & Employee Relations, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, and will keep members up to date.
