HWU Update to Dorevitch members re Covid-19 Testing

Dear HWU Dorevitch Member,

As you know, Covid-19 (Coronavirus) has placed great strain on Victoria’s health system. In so far as testing goes, the public system is struggling to keep up. Up to 70% of all medical diagnoses require pathology services. Covid-19 is no exception. Victoria needs to drastically increase its capacity to test for the virus. This is critical to community health and limiting its spread.

Dorevitch Pathology has received a request from the Department of Human Services to conduct testing as part of the response to this pandemic.

The Health Workers Union has been consulted by Dorevitch Pathology and we recognise the need for Dorevitch to conduct Covid-19 testing at this critical time.

For the Health Workers Union, the health and safety of our Dorevitch Pathology members is paramount. That’s why we have sought the following conditions to Covid-19 testing:​

  • Firstly, that the testing is voluntary. Employees who do no wish to participate are not required to.
  • Volunteers will need to fit the following criteria, which excludes high risk groups:
    • Be under the age of 60
    • Not In the same household of a person over the age of 70
    • Not have a chronic respiratory or lung disease
    • Not be Pregnant, or
    • Not be immunocompromised.

We have received assurances from Dorevitch Pathology that appropriate training and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (including gowns, eyewear, gloves and N95 masks) will be provided. Further, only voluntary staff that have received this training and PPE can conduct testing.

You will receive email communications from Dorevitch Pathology about how to volunteer this morning. Please check your email.

Finally, I wish to thank each and every one of you at this critical time. Health workers are heroes working on the frontline – especially our pathology workers!

Please take all measures necessary to protect your own health – and that of your family.

If you have any questions, call the Health Workers Union on (03) 9341 3300 during business hours (8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday) or email info@hwu.org.au.

Yours in unity,

Diana Asmar

HWU Secretary