DHBs continue to consult with unvaccinated staff

District Health Boards continue to consult with staff who have been stood down around the country because they did not receive their first COVID-19 vaccination by 11.59pm 15 November.

Lead DHB CE Rosemary Clements says DHBs have actively encouraged all staff to become vaccinated throughout this year and have been pleased with the high vaccination rates achieved across the DHB total staff of approximately 80,000.

As at 9.00am on 17 November, DHBs had stood down 1309 unvaccinated staff around the country as required by the government’s COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021

Ms Clements says DHBs are continuing to consult with those unvaccinated staff members who are stood down to answer any questions they might have, discuss other options such as redeployment, support them through the process and encourage them to consider vaccination. If staff choose to be vaccinated while they are stood down, they will be able to return to the DHB.

“We have engaged and agreed with the health sector unions on the processes we are following.”

Ms Clements says service delivery impacts will vary between DHBs and mitigations are in place where needed to minimise any impact to services. These include careful staff rostering, and close monitoring of any areas where there may be some staff shortage.

“Our absolute focus is on ensuring continuity of patient care.”

Ms Clements says DHBs will be in a position early next week to provide an update on the numbers of staff who will be leaving the DHBs due to their unvaccinated status.

More information about the processes DHBs are following can be found here.

A table proving more information by DHB about people who have been stood down can be found below