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Ramsay Health Care introduces COVID-19 vaccination requirement

Oct 19, 2021

Ramsay Health Care has announced all its employees, doctors, students, volunteers, contractors and third parties in Australia will soon need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend the workplace.

Australia’s largest private hospital operator made the announcement in line with its commitment to patient and staff safety, coupled with the vast improvement in COVID-19 vaccine access and supply nationally. 

Ramsay has updated its position on COVID-19 vaccination following a comprehensive risk assessment and analysis, taking into account the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, Work Health and Safety laws, existing public health legislative instruments, health industry guidance, improved accessibility and supply of the vaccines, and patients’ expectations. 

In determining the nationwide requirement for COVID-19 vaccination, Ramsay has noted: 

• A high level of confidence in the safety and efficacy of TGA-approved vaccines. 
• Health care workers in both public and private health care settings are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. 
• The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has recommended mandatory vaccinations for all workers in health care settings as a condition of work. 
• The state governments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia have already issued public health orders requiring workers in health care settings to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This legislation already applies to Ramsay Health Care workers in those relevant states. 
• Previous concerns about COVID-19 supply and access have been addressed across the country. 

Ramsay’s requirement for COVID-19 vaccination will apply to: 

• All employees of Ramsay Health Care and all of its subsidiaries in Australia (clinical and non-clinical) 
• All students and volunteers of Ramsay Health Care and all of its subsidiaries in Australia 
• All contractors and third parties, including states without health orders in place (e.g. medical representatives, agency staff and locums, etc.) 
• All franchisees and seconded franchisee staff 
• All visiting medical officers  

COVID-19 vaccination must be obtained in line with the following dates: 

Anyone who has a medical contraindication and has provided the appropriate approved evidence will be managed on a case-by-case basis. 

Ramsay Health Care Australia CEO, Carmel Monaghan, said the company had a proven track record throughout the pandemic of maintaining safe workplaces for employees and creating safe environments for patients. 

“Workplace vaccination has been identified as an additional measure to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 in health care settings. COVID-19 vaccination has been shown to prevent serious illness, hospitalisation and death in infected individuals,” Ms Monaghan said. 

Ramsay has been demonstrating its support of the national COVID-19 vaccination program from the outset through providing assistance at various state vaccination hubs and Ramsay pharmacies. The company has also been strongly encouraging its employees to get vaccinated, including providing leave for staff to attend their bookings.