Approximately 200 people have been tested for Coronavirus in the Hunter New England Health region so far, the health district revealed yesterday.
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Doctors are willing to put in extra work to break the back of covid-19, according to their union - so long as they're not ripped off.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation said they have been in negotiation with health authorities about work conditions during a surge of demand in case of a potential major outbreak.
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"Doctors, nurses, pretty much every health professional, we need to be prepared that there will be extra work," said ASMOF Executive Director Andrew Holland.
"From our perspective as the union for doctors we expect our members and we want our members to go that extra yard but also not come out disadvantaged.
"The two key areas are the key work and safety issues in particular working excessive hours.
"But also doctors should be appropriately and properly remunerated for any extra hours they're required to do."
He said junior doctors in particular were often expected to work unreasonable hours even at normal times.
In case of a major Coronavirus outbreak they have not yet got "reassurance they they won't be required to work excessive hours," he said.
The union said hospital staff should also be prepared for a potential freeze on leave.
But ultimately he said NSW Health had been negotiating in good faith under difficult circumstances.
"There needs to be a degree of goodwill all around to deal with a possible upsurge that is unknown."
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A spokesperson for the Hunter New England health district said hospitals across the region have conducted approximately 200 Coronavirus tests so far. Over 3000 have been tested across NSW.
The district otherwise refused the opportunity to detail plans to cancel leave or redeploy staff in case of a major outbreak.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard yesterday declared NSW is in "a war with coronavirus".
His comments followed the death of an elderly resident at a Sydney aged care facility.
On Wednesday night the total tally of confirmed covid-19 cases in NSW stood at 22. Two Australians have died of the virus so far.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
