At this week’s employee forum we heard from Associate Professor Michael Farmer, Unit Head, General Medicine at Casey Hospital.
Following an increase in admissions of COVID-19 patients, the high acuity T2 ward at Casey Hospital was reconfigured and has been operating as a COVID-19 ward for the past two weeks.
As a Respiratory Physician and COVID Consultant, Michael was interviewed about his experience to date and offered some valuable insights into how the team were coping with the recent changes.
“It’s going well. I think we need to be reminded that we have been here before, but now we know a lot more about COVID.
“We are double vaccinated, Casey Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility, the ventilation systems are fabulous, the rooms have HEPA filters installed, we have PPE coaches, and we are fit tested.”
While it’s natural for employees to have initial concerns about working in a COVID ward, Michael offered reassurance that ongoing support for, and preparedness of teams has made for a very safe working environment.
Michael pictured in full PPE.
“I am in full PPE and we have the PPE coaches observing us. It is a lot safer spending the morning in T2 than it is at Fountain Gate.
“I would be far more fussed about being in the community. At work you are in an incredibly controlled, safe environment.”
When asked about the future of dealing with COVID-19, Michael spoke about the need to normalise the COVID response and focus on how we can all work and live with COVID in a safe way.
“This is the new world and we have a very safe way of continuing our work.
“We have the capability to look after ourselves and our families, so we are not transmitting COVID, and working in a very safe and controlled way.”
Watch Michael’s full interview at the employee forum below.
Approved by David Bloxham.