Hospital workers need rapid tests to fight Omicron peak — SHPA

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) has reiterated the urgent need for rapid antigen tests (RATs) to be made available to hospital pharmacists and their colleagues, as steeply rising numbers of positive COVID-19 cases and healthcare workers in isolation puts hospitals under intense pressure.

SHPA Chief Executive Kristin Michaels said ensuring frontline workers are working when healthy, and isolating when infected, is crucial to keeping hospitals running at maximum care capacity.

“SHPA members report that pharmacy departments are coping with the highest ever number of staff unable to work — in some cases up to 30% — due to being positive with COVID-19 or isolating as a close contact.

“Ensuring hospital pharmacists have greater access to RATs will help reduce reliance on the broad caution that can see staff at home when they are COVID-negative and available to work.”

Michaels said moves to shore up supply of RATs are welcome and must be prioritised to maximise hospital capacity.

“Following recent announcements that a positive RAT result does not need confirmation via PCR test, we welcome the actions of state governments to bulk-purchase RATs for public sector workers and vulnerable populations; this supply and distribution effort must include hospital pharmacists, who continue to report a lack of access to tests.

“With a two-week lag anticipated from the peak in daily cases to peak in hospitalisations, we know a significant number of Australians will be in hospital with COVID-19 by the end of January.

“Our joint focus must be to ensure they receive the best possible care, which means protecting and preserving the health and energy of our essential hospital staff, ensuring Australians receive the hospital care they need, when they need it.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/charnsitr