Nurses in Queensland who were stood down during the pandemic for refusing to get a Covid vaccine are being sacked despite the lifting of mandates
Queensland nurses who were fired during the pandemic for refusing to get a Covid vaccine are being fired despite the lifting of mandates months ago.
Ella Leach, secretary of the Nurses Professional Association Queensland, was among those recently informed by letter that she had been fired, even though she was seven months pregnant.
“I should be focusing on the joys of becoming a mother but it’s been overshadowed by this whole process,” Ms Leach told Sky News Australia.
Asked why the Queensland Health Department would continue to pursue workers who are no longer breaking the vaccine rule, Ms Leach said she felt the authority was “doubling down” on its position during the pandemic.
Ella Leach said she is one of ‘at least 50’ Queensland Health workers she knew who lost their jobs for refusing a mandatory Covid vaccine even after the rule was withdrawn
In September 2021, all Queensland Health staff working in facilities where healthcare was provided were told to be vaccinated against Covid, but this guidance was withdrawn in September 2023 by new director-general Michael Walsh.
“They’re just trying to prove a point with us,” Ms Leach said.
“There is no sensible reason why they would continue with this action.”
‘We know our hospitals are crying out for staff. We see ambulances driving outside hospitals, people dying in ambulances, our rural areas suffering.”
Ms Leach said she was one of at least 50 employees she knew who had been made redundant since September 25 last year.
Ms Leach’s former employer, Children’s Health Queensland, said in a statement that it was “unable to comment publicly on the employment situation, including disciplinary actions, of individual staff”.
“Employee disciplinary matters are handled on a case-by-case basis and governed by robust and fair processes.”
In September 2021, Queensland Health staff were told they had to get a Covid vaccination to keep their jobs, but this guidance was overturned two years later (file image)
Ms Leach said she was aware that some staff had been told they could reapply for their old jobs.
‘In my role as secretary I have seen hundreds of letters sent to staff on this issue.’
“They say they are on a case by case basis, but they are template letters and they insert what you wrote back to them and say, ‘Even if we haven’t addressed your concern, don’t think we have'” there not taken into account,” she claimed.
“Then they’ll just fire you, that’s disgraceful.”
“I’ve talked to nurses who have lost their homes because of this.”
In withdrawing the vaccine mandate, Mr Walsh said a wide range of opinions had been submitted that informed the decision.
This included staff feedback, expert clinical advice, official immunization advice and a ‘human rights assessment’.
Similar vaccine mandates for healthcare workers were lifted in NSW at the end of 2022, but the mandate remains in place in Victoria.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Health for comment.