RATs

Ask Shaye: RATS time and compensation

June 1, 2022 by Madeline Lucre Leave a Comment

I work in aged care. We have been directed by our employer to attend work 15 minutes earlier than our usual starting time, so that we can undergo COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing before each shift. Is this allowed? Should I be paid for this time?

NSW Health currently recom-mends that aged care workers undergo a RAT prior to every shift. If your employer makes this a requirement, to protect residents as well as staff, and you are required to attend work earlier than normal as a result, then you must be compensated for this time by being paid as if it were work time. Your employer should also provide the RATs at no cost to you.

150,000 sign ACTU petition demanding free and accessible RATs

April 7, 2022 by Madeline Lucre Leave a Comment

Scott Morrison still refuses to listen to advice from medical experts, businesses, and unions that large numbers of Rapid Antigen Tests are required to keep working people and the broader community safe.

More than 150,000 Australians signed a petition last month demanding the Morrison Government act immediately to make Rapid Antigen Tests free and accessible for everyone.

The ACTU says, “RATs are one of the best tools we have to stop the spread of the virus and reduce the strain on our overwhelmed healthcare system, and are provided free to anyone who needs them by governments around the world, including in the US and UK”.

It says the cost burden on low-paid workers in frontline industries, who have to test themselves and their families regularly and at their own expense, is “unacceptable”.

The ACTU says the law makes it clear that employees should never shoulder the cost of ensuring that their workplace is safe – including the provision of tests and any appropriate PPE.

ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus, said it was time for the government to respond to the voices of workers, employers and the community.

“Every Australian has been affected by the Morrison Government’s failure to secure a reliable supply of RATs. It is shameful that it is easier for Australians to catch COVID than it is to find a test kit,” she said.

“We can limit admissions to hospitals, keep workplaces open and supply chains operating if we have free and accessible RATs.”

Aged care nurses and carers forced to pay for RATs

February 1, 2022 by Rayan Calimlim Leave a Comment

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is extremely concerned that many nurses and carers are still being forced to pay for their own rapid antigen tests (RATs) to go to work during the COVID-19 pandemic devastating Australia’s nursing homes.

According to the preliminary findings of a new national survey being conducted by the ANMF, almost one in five aged care nurses and carers paid for their own RATs, despite the Morrison Government promising back in August 2021, to commence rolling-out RATs to residential aged care facilities to protect workers, residents and their families.

Over 770 health and aged care workers have so far participated in the survey, with preliminary findings showing:

1 in 5 participants report needing to buy their own RATs;
27% report ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ testing experience.

ANMF Federal Assistant Secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp said: “Aged care is in crisis. Chronic understaffing across the system has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with care staff unable to provide elderly residents with the quality care they need.

“Many of our nurses and carers are telling us that they’re still being forced to source and pay for their own RATs due to ongoing supply issues. This is putting further emotional and financial strain on the aged care workers who are already exhausted and burnt out.

“Sadly, it’s another example of the Morrison Government’s failure to plan and respond to a foreseeable crisis in aged care.”

Survey comments from aged care staff:

“My workplace had been an exposure site and then an outbreak site. The Government has been slow in distributing rapid antigen testing from the stockpile. Within our community it is difficult to obtain rapid antigen testing.”

“I worked directly caring for COVID-19 positive residents (6 positive of 15 residents on my floor) and was not tested over 5 shifts as my employer had run out of RATs as they were waiting for a supply from the Commonwealth Government.”

Aged Care in desperate need of support from Morrison Government

January 12, 2022 by Madeline Lucre Leave a Comment

With COVID cases continuing to rise and outbreaks occurring across aged care facilities, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) is calling on Scott Morrison to increase resources the aged care sector as a matter of urgency as aged care residents and staff are being placed at significant risk due to a severe lack of preparation by the sector and federal government.

The latest COVID-19 cases in aged care from the federal government shows that as of 7 January 2022, 168 facilities in NSW currently have outbreaks with 641 residents and 762 staff testing positive.

NSWNMA Acting General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said nurses working in aged care are desperate for intervention and are running out of options and time.

“The aged care system is so poorly resourced, lacks coordination and is heading for disaster unless the Morrison government steps in immediately to protect residents and staff,” Ms Candish said.

“Many aged care facilities lack resources and equipment to maintain COVID-19 infection control standards, are unable to supply fit tested Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sometimes even lack the basics of providing staff with correct masks.

“The public health system is so incredibly overwhelmed at the moment that aged care facilities can’t rely on them for support as they did in the last outbreak.

During the Delta outbreak last year, COVID-19 positive residents were transferred to local public hospitals to minimise cross infection and to ensure acute care needs were met. We also often saw public sector resources sent into the aged care facilities to achieve the same outcome. This is currently not the case.

As the state health system grapples with its own crisis, aged care is a federal responsibility and the federal government cannot delay action on protecting residents and staff any further.

“Our members in aged care are reporting a staffing crisis, lack of access to suitable PPE, substandard infection control practices, and with many residents and staff still awaiting their booster. Some aged care facilities are being forced to ration rapid antigen tests, only using them every 72 hours.

“Where is the Morrison government when it comes to ensuring aged care residents and staff are receiving their booster shots in a timely and effective manner? Where are they when it comes to ensuring aged care staff are fit tested for their P2/N95 masks?

“With increasing cases appearing in Aged Care facilities across the country already, this is a disaster waiting to happen.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care identified significant issues with infection control across the sector, these issues have still not been addressed by the Federal government so it seems inevitable that residents without their booster shot and who are locked down in their facility will likely contract COVID-19.

“Aged care staff are devastated their residents are being locked down in rooms. Our members are worried about the safety of their residents and hold serious concerns if nothing is done.

“Scott Morrison must take action immediately before it’s too late. The Federal Government must ramp up the booster program, ensure better access to rapid antigen tests in all facilities and ensure the distribution of fit tested PPE.

“If the Morrison government does not act on these specific issues then they will have once again let down residents in aged care.

7 tips to get an accurate result on your RAT

January 7, 2022 by Madeline Lucre 1 Comment

A rapid antigen test detects proteins from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a sample. You can collect the sample yourself at home using a nasal swab or saliva.

Here’s how to make the most of these rapid antigen tests, and to increase your chance of a meaningful result.

These tips come from analysing instructions on the TGA website about how to use approved rapid antigen tests. Here’s what to consider:

Check the expiry date. Don’t use a test that has expired
Some tests need to be at room temperature for 30 minutes before use. So plan ahead
If you are using a nasal swab, blow your nose before collecting the sample. If using a saliva test, don’t eat or drink 10 minutes before collecting the sample
Avoid contaminating the sample. Regardless of which test you use, instructions can ask you to clean a flat surface; wash or sanitise and dry your hands; and lay out the test items. Never, ever touch the business end of the swab (the soft end that goes in your nose) as you will contaminate it
Follow the instructions on sample collection to the letter. For example, with a nasal swab you will be asked to insert the swab 2cm, rotate the swab five times, and do this in both nostrils. Once you have collected the sample it goes into the chemical solution
Place a set number of drops of the solution on the indicator device. Don’t add extra “for good luck”
Read the results at the exact time recommended. For example, the instructions may ask you to read the result no earlier than 15 minutes after adding the solution and no later than 20 minutes. After 20 minutes the result may no longer be accurate.

What do the coloured lines mean?

Coloured lines on a rapid antigen test to indicate a positive COVID result — Both the C and T lines need to show up for a positive COVID result.

There are two coloured lines to look for. One is a C (the control). This tells you if the test is working properly. The other is a T (test) or Ag (antigen). And it’s the combination of these that gives the result:

if the C coloured line fails to show, the test is invalid. The test kit may have expired, or you didn’t take the test correctly
if the C coloured line shows and the T (or Ag) line does not, your result is negative (you’re unlikely to have COVID-19)
if both the C and T (or Ag) lines show up, your result is positive (you’re likely to have COVID-19).

What next?

If you get a negative result and don’t have symptoms, congratulations! If you have a negative result but have symptoms, take a PCR test to be sure. Avoid contact with others in the meantime.

If you get a positive result, follow up as soon as possible with a PCR test to confirm and self-isolate in the meantime.

This was originally published in The Conversation, 22 November 2021.