[ad_1]
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
Most guests in managed isolation facilities are grateful, but some verbally and physically abuse healthcare workers, says one whistleblower. (File photo)
As a nurses union demands change, shocking reports are emerging that healthcare workers are labeled “cute” and physically abused by guests in managed isolation facilities (MIQ).
New Zealand Nurses Organization (NZNO) organizer Sharleen Rapoto said the abuse of health workers at MIQ facilities was an ongoing problem.
Have you been a victim of abuse while working in an MIQ facility? Email [email protected]
“Our nurses and assistants receive yelling and swearing and hear racist comments. It’s really unpleasant and out of place. “
Rapoto said incidents were occurring at all MIQs, but employees were afraid to report them due to a perceived lack of support from some district health board (DHB) management teams.
READ MORE:
* MIQ nurses express their opinion: ‘We are going to become careless … we are tired and stressed’
* Nurses will strike again after 10 months of ‘unsuccessful’ pay parity negotiations
* DHB reports violent and aggressive behavior towards staff
RYAN ANDERSON / Stuff
Health workers report they have been racially abused while taking nasal swabs at managed isolation facilities in Auckland.
“They raise problems and make formal complaints, but they are not addressed. They are often told to just hang on and move on. “
He said the change in management of MIQ from the Geneva health care agency to DHBs late last year was a “complete disaster”, with entire teams resigning.
A whistleblower, who spoke with Things On condition of anonymity, she said that she and her colleagues had suffered a constant stream of abuse.
The health care assistant said most of the guests were grateful, but some had called staff and immigrant nurses regularly responded to racist comments from angry guests.
Dominico Zapata / Things
Distinction Hotel Managed Isolation Manager Carla Denmead talks about launching the vaccine at the Managed Isolation facility. (First published February 19, 2021)
Some guests demanded that an “English” or “Kiwi” nurse perform their nasal swab test because they did not believe that the nurse they had would be able to perform the test correctly.
The aide, who earned just over the $ 18.90 an hour minimum wage from the Manukau Counties DHB, had heard his colleagues called “monkeys.” A colleague was recently slapped by a guest, causing him a lot of distress because he feared contracting Covid-19.
Much of the abuse went unreported because immigrant workers were concerned it could affect their immigration status, he said.
He had refused to work at the Jetpark MIQ in Auckland, where infectious cases were quarantined, because there was no additional payment for the risks to the staff. Many of their colleagues struggled to survive while their union struggled to earn them a living wage.
“Especially single mothers who really have to ration their money. It’s depressing and sad. “
Workers also had to deal with suicidal people and self-harmed people, which had a significant emotional toll on their own mental well-being.
Recently released figures for Things According to the Official Information Law, the police had attended 25 calls for family injuries and 22 incidents of self-harm since the MIQ began. All but six calls were made in Auckland.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said that no one deserved to be abused at work and that any complaints would be treated “very seriously.”
“If any of them feel they are being subjected to unacceptable behavior, I ask them to raise it immediately so they can fix it.”
A spokesperson for the Northern Region Health Coordination Center said New Zealanders should be grateful for the work health workers did to keep the public safe.
He said the Auckland DHB was working with the NZNO on various initiatives to address payment fees.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says any report of abuse is treated “very seriously.”
Melissa Macfarlane, executive director of response for Canterbury DHB Covid-19, said MIQs in Christchurch reported two incidents involving verbal abuse towards staff while swab testing was being done.
“Abuse of our staff is never okay and is not tolerated. However, the fact that only two incidents have been recorded at MIQ facilities is a testament to the processes in place to support staff. “
NZNO Canterbury organizer Danielle Davies said she had not heard of any abuse at the Christchurch facility outside of “what normally happens in hospitals and facilities.”
Davies said members would deal directly with their charge nurse if they experienced any problems.
Canterbury DHB has been contacted for comment.
