News

As members will be aware, health care workers in Victoria are to be prioritised when awaiting COVID-19 test results.

Recently the Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) have received many examples of significant delays in receiving test results. Members have reported delays of up to 8 days, despite advising the testing facility that they are a health care worker.

This delay is unacceptable. The Victorian Government and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) need to ensure that health care workers experience a fast response so they can return to work quickly.

Members are reminded that in circumstances where you are feeling well enough to work but are directed by your employer not to attend work, in this case any time away from the workplace should be covered by special leave – not your own personal leave entitlement. For example, if you have felt unwell and been tested for COVID-19 on Monday, but on Tuesday you are well enough to work but are directed not to work because you are awaiting test results, your absence from work on Monday is covered by personal leave while the rest of the time you are off work should be covered by special leave.

Members who are concerned that they are having this time off work taken from their personal leave entitlement/accrual balance rather than being paid for this time as special leave should email [email protected] and have this corrected.

Members who experience delays with COVID-19 testing are asked to email the VAU at [email protected], with the subject line ‘COVID-19-TESTING’ and provide the following details:

• Name;
• Date of birth;
• Testing facility;
• Date of test;
• Timeframe of delay.

DHHS has advised the VAU that they will be reissuing their advice to all testing facilities to ensure that they know that health workers are to be prioritised when issuing test results.

In Solidarity,