It is concerning that training in the use of personal protective equipment is only just being rolled out to all THS staff, 50 days after the declaration of a public health emergency.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said with another two confirmed COVID-19 cases overnight - one a Launceston General Hospital health worker - access to PPE and training is critical.
"One of the key concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak in Tasmania's North West was a reported shortage of PPE and a lack training in its use," Ms White said.
"This included hospital staff being told to reuse PPE which was designed for single use only.
"We're aware that training in the use of PPE is only now being rolled out to all staff across the Tasmanian Health Service, with a meeting today to field staff questions about its use.
"It is unacceptable that this is only happening now - 50 days after the declaration of a health emergency and a month since the start of the North West outbreak.
"We are also aware of concerns that non-clinical staff like orderlies, who do not have access to a work computer or the THS intranet, will struggle to complete the online-only training module.
"All THS staff deserve an immediate assurance that they will receive the PPE and the training they need and that this will occur quickly."
Ms White said guidelines for the use of PPE and access to PPE in the disability sector also needs to be addressed, with the government's response regarding guidelines for operation and access, training and use of PPE focussing almost entirely on health and aged care workers.
"Disability support workers provide a vital service to vulnerable people across our society and often work across multiple settings - including aged care and hospitals. They deserve the same support and protections as other high-risk sectors.
"Yet, we are hearing that they feel ignored, and have even been forced to purchase PPE stock from Shiploads and eBay because they have been unable to access PPE from government stockpiles.
"I welcome the Premier's commitment to look into this, but it is disappointing that there are no clear processes to manage access to PPE and guidelines for its use in the disability sector.
"I urge the Premier to recognise the importance of disability sector workers and provide them with the support, PPE and training they need to protect themselves and their clients."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
