By Alesha Capone
Nine healthcare workers from overseas are joining the team at Werribee Mercy Hospital, under a program designed to boost Victoria’s medical workforce as COVID-19 continues to impact staff levels.
Last month, the state government announced that about 350 doctors, nurses and midwives would be flown in to support Victoria’s health system, due to the growing number of coronavirus cases sending local employees from hospitals and GP clinics into isolation.
Mercy Health chief operating officer Robynne Cooke said that nine new medical staff members from other countries would soon be starting at Werribee Mercy.
“Three have already arrived in Australia and will start work at the hospital once they have completed quarantine and the remaining six are yet to arrive in the country,” Ms Cooke said.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming our overseas counterparts to Werribee Mercy Hospital.
“With our international borders closed, we have not been able to recruit internationally, so we are grateful to be able to add these international recruits to our workforce.”
Several hospitals across the state have faced a shortage of staff in recent weeks, as hundreds of employees have been forced into isolation after visiting COVID-19 exposure sites outside of work.
Werribee Mercy Hospital has 55 staff members furloughed.
The hospital was on ambulance bypass for periods of last week.
“Our remarkable staff are under significant pressure working in this COVID-19 environment and there will be times when we have to furlough staff to keep our patients and fellow staff members protected from the virus,” Ms Cooke said.
“These international staff members will be invaluable in helping to support us.”
Ms Cooke said Mercy Health was strongly encouraging everyone who is yet to be vaccinated to book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination.
“If you are vaccinated, the chances of you needing specialist medical care at our hospitals are greatly reduced, and widespread vaccination will help to reduce the strain on our state’s intensive care units,” she said.
“So please, book your appointments as soon as you can to protect yourself, those you love, your community and all of our healthcare workers who are working to care for us during this time.”
