Some NSW nurses on the coronavirus frontline are forced to wear incontinence underwear at work because they don’t have time to go to the bathroom, an inquiry has been told.
NSW politicians probing the state’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic have been told many health workers are so exhausted and traumatised they’re on the brink of quitting.
“It’s starting to really traumatise them, and that is just what is not fundamentally understood by the government when they say that we are coping with it,” said NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association assistant general secretary Shaye Candish.
The union‘s members voted overwhelmingly this week to walk off the job to protest what they say are inadequate staffing levels.
The strike, which coincides with the return of parliament next week, is the largest industrial action by NSW nurses since 2013.
Ms Candish told the inquiry about some of the extreme working conditions health workers had to endure, including sweating in full protective equipment during 16-hour shifts.
“If you’ve ever worked outside, doing some gardening for a couple of hours xjmtzywand feel that intense amount of heat out in the sun – I would say it’s like that, day after day,” she said.
“Going to work completely drenched in sweat, having to change multiple sets of clothes per day because of the amount of sweat that they’re producing.
“It’s really challenging to stay hydrated even though you’re sweating so much because of the donning and doffing that’s required.
“We’re hearing stories of members having to wear incontinence underwear because they’re unable to get to the bathroom – you know, in a country like Australia, it kind of beggars belief that this is what’s required.”
The inquiry continues into Friday afternoon, with chief health officer Kerry Chant and Health Minister Brad Hazzard expected to testify as well.
