Claims that stemmed from a post on a local noticeboard on Facebook on Sunday, September 26 are untrue, says Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead.
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The post said that up to 50 staff at Manning Base Hospital were losing their jobs this week, and implied it was because the staff were unvaccinated. The resulting rumours claim there is a "crisis" at the hospital because there such a large staff shortage as a result.
The post also implied that there was a "shocking" number of COVID cases being treated at Manning Base Hospital and it was deliberately being kept a secret from the public, a claim that is also false.
Mr Bromhead originally refuted these claims on his Facebook account on Thursday, September 30, with some members of the public arguing against his post.
Mr Bromhead talked with Hunter New England Health District to clarify the matter and again posted on Friday, October 1.
He said he was told that all full-time staff at Manning Base Hospital have been vaccinated and no full-time staff are leaving due to not being vaccinated, and that up to 10 part-time/casual staff have chosen not to get vaccinated with some still considering their choices.
"To inflate the number 'up to 50' is misleading," Mr Bromhead said.
"There are around 800 staff (including full-time, part-time and casual) who work at Manning Base Hospital and the overwhelming majority have chosen to get vaccinated.
"Hospital staff work in exposed settings and when the State opens up, there is an increased likelihood that they will treat potentially COVID-positive patients.
"If people choose not to be vaccinated despite the evidence, advice and information available, and they choose to leave Manning Base Hospital, that is regretful.
"It is never my wish that hospital staff, who are so vital to our community, should leave their jobs. I recognise their right to have a choice. But I believe our choice has to be to ensure the safety of patients and our community. We do not want a situation where staff may be unknowingly passing COVID to vulnerable patients in a setting where they should be protected.
"Any staff member who has chosen not to be vaccinated, will be welcomed back if they choose to get vaccinated.
"There is an urgent need to be consistent and loud about the importance of vaccination.
"I thank all staff who have been vaccinated and for their hard work in looking after our community," Mr Bromhead said.
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Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
