More than 8 per cent of Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) workers have failed to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, forcing cuts to surgical, medical and mental health beds.
Queensland Health data obtained by the ABC shows that, of the 4,620 employees who work for the service — which runs Rockhampton, Gladstone, Biloela and Emerald hospitals — 385 workers have provided no evidence of having two COVID-19 vaccine shots and are not on leave.
About 136 of them have requested an exemption from the mandate but Queensland Health director-general John Wakefield has made it clear anyone who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be allowed to work in a public health facility.
Of the 108,000-strong Queensland Hospital and Health Services workforce, 3,830 — or 3.54 per cent — have provided no evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination and are not on leave.
Workers who are on leave do not need to become compliant with the vaccination mandate until they are due to return to work.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said this week about 4,000 Queensland Health workers who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 would be sent show-cause notices and be suspended on full pay.