Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Leaflets and Information

Dear Colleagues,

Please find below information regarding the current Covid 19 emergency. We wish to advise all our members that we are engaging with the HSE on a continuous basis and that all information is subject to change as the situation progresses.

We advise all members to make themselves aware of this information and advise. Each heading includes links to the current information available in relation to each topic.

• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• REDEPLOYMENT 

  Carry over of Annual Leave

• SOCIAL DISTANCING

• PREGNANT and Immunocompromised Healthcare Workers

• USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPEs)

• RISK ASSESSMENT

• RETIRED NURSES RETURNING TO WORK

• MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION

• WELLBEING SECTION & STAFF HELPLINE - 1850 420 420

• ADVICE for ID SERVICES

• ADVISE FROM THE NMBI

• CORNMARKET

• COVID-19 HSE Clinical Guidance and Evidence website

Further information can be found on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre website hpsc.ie

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

• HR Circular 016/2020: Addendum to HR Circular 12/2020 COVID 19 FAQs for Public Service Employers in relation to working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 (including updates on changes from the containment to delay phase) 13th March 2020

• Updated Covid-19 FAQ's INCLUDING UPDATES ON CHANGES FROM THE CONTAINMENT TO DELAY PHASE

• COVID-19 FAQs for HR in the civil and public service 2020.03.04

• Interim Guidance for Coronavirus HCW Mgt by Occupational Health WHWU Version 10 

• Algorithm for Testing of HCW Contacts V 1

REDEPLOYMENT

• HSE Letter re Policy on Redeployment of Staff during COVID-19Policy on Redeployment of Staff during COVID-19

• HR Circular 015 2020 - Policy on Redeployment of staff during COVID-19

• 20.03.27 CERS Memo 13 2020 re Redeployment Policy - section 51

Carry over of Annual Leave 

• 20.04.02 CERS Memo 15 2020 re Carry Over Annual Leave - COVID 19

• hr-108-r-carry-over-of-annual-leave-form

SOCIAL DISTANCING

• HR Circular 017/2020: Update re Social Distancing in the Health Sector
  Appendix A: Guidance for public service employees in relation to COVID-19 self-isolation and self-quarantine notifications
  Appendix B: Guidance for managers when notified of COVID-19 self-isolation or self-quarantine
  Appendix C: COVID-19 SELF DECLARATION FORM FOR SPECIAL LEAVE WITH PAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE EMPLOYEES

• HR Circular 014 2020 re Social Distancing in the Health Sector

• Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Close Contact Information Leaflet V7

• Derogation for the return to work of Healthcare Workers (HCW) who have been advised to restrict their movements BUT are identified as essential for critical services – Version 3 30th Mar 2020

• For HCWs returning from any international travel outside of the island of Ireland v4.0, 18.03.2020

• COVID-19 ESSENTIAL Healthcare Worker on Passive Monitoring – Leaflet for returning to work prior to the end of the monitoring period V1.0, 30.03.2020

PREGNANT and Immunocompromised Healthcare Workers

• Pregnant Healthcare Workers (HCWs), Vulnerable HCWs and HCW with Other Pre-Existing Disease Version 3, 30/03/2020

USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPEs)

• Interim Guidance for use of PPE COVID 19 v1.0 17_03_20

RISK ASSESSMENT

• Preliminary Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Infection Prevention and Control Guidance include Outbreak Control in Residential Care Facilities (RCF) and Similar Units

• Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers with Potential Workplace Exposure to Covid-19 Case V6

• COVID-19 Telephone Assessment, Testing Pathway and Return to Work of Symptomatic Healthcare Workers Version 3.1

RETIRED NURSES RETURNING TO WORK

• Update - Be on Call for Ireland initiative

• DoH Circular 1_2020 - Waiver of Abatement for frontline staff in the context of COVID-19 (005)

• HR Circular 009 2020-Waiver of Pension Abatement

ADVISE FROM THE NMBI

• COVID-19 Restoration Fee Waiver FAQ

• NMBI Waives Restoration Fees to Enable Qualified Nurses and Midwives to Return to Work

• Information for Nurses and Midwives on Scope of Practice in Emergency Situations

• NMBI Statement to Registered Nurses and Midwives on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION

• Guidance Documentation_MHT

WELLBEING SECTION & STAFF HELPLINE - 1850 420 420

• Callsave 1850 420 420 - More information....
  Lines are open from Monday to Friday: 8am - 8pm : Saturday and Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm

• Connect, Communicate, Reassure Pack of Resources Low Res FINAL

• Minding Our Mental Health during COVID-19

ADVICE for ID SERVICES

• National Public Health Guidance for COVID-19 - www.hpsc.ie for the most up to date information on infection prevention and control.

• List of Guidance Documents developed by HSE Disability Services  

• COVID-19 Guidance for Nurse-Led Residential Disability Services

• COVID-19 Contingency Plan Home Support Services Disabilities

• COVID-19 Guidance Community Residential Services for People with Disabilities

• Guidance on Supporting a Distressed Person with Additional Needs

• Managing Stress for Individuals with a Disability in a Pandemic

• Guidance for Testing for COVID-19 in Disability Services

• Guidance for Testing for COVID-19 in Disability Services (Graphics)

• Guide for Community Residence

• Guidance for Non-Residential Models of Care

• Streamlined Passport for Hospital Admission (Yellow)

CORNMARKET

• Cornmarket - Covid-19 Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) - Frequently asked questions

• PNA fight against cancer. Q1 2020 report 

COVID-19 HSE Clinical Guidance and Evidence website

A COVID-19 HSE Clinical Guidance and Evidence repository is now available. Click here to access

This site provides a repository of clinical guidance and latest research evidence to equip the clinical community in Ireland to respond to Covid-19.

The site contains:

• HSE Interim Clinical Guidance to provide consistent advice to the clinical community in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is based on best available knowledge at the time of completion, written by clinical subject matter experts (SMEs) working with the HSE. These SMEs have both expertise and experience of treating patients for the specific health conditions covered by the guidance.
• Research evidence summaries prepared by the HSE National Library Evidence team and other stakeholders
• Facility to request additional published Covid19 evidence in relation to specific clinical questions.
• Links to point of care tools and educational resources

The content of the site is not meant to replace clinical judgment or specialist consultation, but rather strengthen clinical management of patients and provide up-to-date and relevant guidance.  The guidance is iterative in nature and will be updated as the situation changes.

This guidance must be read in conjunction with the National HSE Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidance for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 

The repository is accessible from the Staff COVID-19 homepage.

NMBI Statement to Registered Nurses and Midwives on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

10th March 2020

Dear Colleagues

Please see link from NMBI regarding a statement from the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) to all registered nurses and registered midwives, in the context of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) which all members are advised to read.

https://www.nmbi.ie/News/News/NMBI-Statement-to-registered-nurses-and-midwives-o

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Coronavirus COVID – 19

03^rd March 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few weeks there has been regular engagement between the HSE and the Health Unions.

A teleconference was held this morning and a follow up telecall will be held on Friday 06^th March 2020.

The concerns and queries that have been addressed are available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre Website www.HPSC.ie. Which is updated on a regular basis as the situation develops.

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NMBI Annual Retention Fees for 2020 

The NMBI wishes to thank all nurses and midwives who have paid their annual retention fees for 2020. Almost 95% of registrants have renewed to date.

For those who have not yet renewed, the fee is now overdue and there is a danger of removal from the register.

Read more ...

Senior Staff Nurse

Labour Court Proceedings - Update 08.08.19

Dear Colleagues,

We attended a reconvene of the Labour Court today and presented supplementary submissions regarding recruitment and retention.
 
The Court is now considering these additional submission and will revert in due course

An update will be provided as soon as we have more information.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Hughes

General Secretary

PNA Update on Labour Court Proceedings

Update 31/07/19

Dear Colleagues,

We attended the Labour Court today (31/07/19) and presented our submissions.

The Court have requested some clarifications from all parties and in this regard we are reconvening next Thursday 8th August in the Labour Court.

An update will be provided as soon as we have more information.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Hughes

General Secretary

PHPG Circular to members re R&R members not making themselves available to work beyond their contracted hours12.07.19

12 th July 2019

Dear Colleagues,

Following intensive discussions with senior officials from the HSE in relation to members not making themselves available to work beyond their contracted hours, the PNA have agreed to suspend their current instruction on the basis that progress has been made in respect on the following issues:

•  There has been significant progress in relation to proceeding with the recruitment of Mental Health Nursing Approved Posts ;

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FOSTER A CHILD - A chance to make a difference

Tusla supports foster parents to improve the lives of children in their local communities, and these children need more people in this rewarding role. Find out more by viewing/downloading this leaflet and give us a call on 086 183 3760

FOSTER A CHILD

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Re: Recruitment & Retention - Notice to Members - 9th July 2019

09 th July 2019

Re: Recruitment & Retention

Dear Branches

An NEC was held yesterday 08 th July 2019 in relation to our members not making themselves available to work hours above their contracted hours.

The following decisions were made at the NEC:

•  Our members will not make themselves available for hours above their contracted hours from the commencement of the day shift on Thursday July 11th. This will continue for the duration of the day shift (e.g. 8pm) on Thursday July 11th.

•  Our members will not make themselves available for hours above their contracted hours from the commencement of the day shift on Friday July 12th and will continue thereafter on a 24-hour basis.

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