One of the most contentious issues amidst the COVID-19 pandemic for Allied Health Professionals has been the lack of protective personal equipment (PPE) and what PPE is most appropriate for the role they perform.
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Australia has deferred, temporarily at least, what looked to have been our worst health crisis in a century. This calm before any possible storm has allowed discussion of the “endgame” to start.
VAHPA understand that many of our members are in workplaces which are not eligible for JobKeeper for a range of reasons. We are however providing this information because it's important that all Allied Health Professionals have this information; if you don't need it, you may know someone else working in Allied Health who does.
Allied Health Professionals are strongly advised to contact the Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association (VAHPA) prior to agreeing to any changes to their employment conditions in response to COVID-19. Please read the following information carefully.
In late March 2020, The Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Dan Matthews, made an argument: "old people should be happy to die for America’s economy." This is an extreme version of a broader spectrum of opinion, which sees the “economy” as more important than people’s lives.
The Federal Government Department of Health Deputy Secretary Lisa Studdert addressed a letter to Allied Health Professionals on March 26 2020 in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contents of this letter can be read here.
Stand down, leave and casuals
Information on your entitlements when it comes to leave, as well as being stood down, as it relates to COVID-19.
The Health Services Union (HSU) National Office has been representing the Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association (VAHPA) and other HSU branches on a joint working group around issues and responses to COVID-19, specifically in relation to the disability sector.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is of concern to all Victorian Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). As such it is important that we have a clear understanding of the virus, the disease it causes and how we should best look after ourselves and our patients.
Allied Health Professionals are on the frontline of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We diagnose, treat and care for those suffering from COVID-19 and we are committed to this work. We are also acutely aware that this work significantly increases the likelihood that we will come into contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and significantly increases the likelihood that we will contract COVID-19.
After determined lobbying by a community group leading into the last state election, the Andrews Government announced in late August 2019 that it would return the service delivered by the Mildura Base Hospital to public hands.
A recent report examined a trend of superannuation fund members deserting retail funds and moving their retirement savings into consistently better-performing industry funds.