Advice on working conditions please? (Pregnancy, coronavirus and healthcare setting related)

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Hello,

Hopefully this is the right place for this.

I am a senior nurse based in a large hospital, employed on a ward. The ward is designated “amber”, meaning patients are admitted without knowing their COVID status.

I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been diagnosed with hyperemisis gravidarium. I am medicated for this and it is ongoing despite the stage of pregnancy. I have ongoing lightheadedness and fainting episodes, and borderline hypertension, all of which are exasperated by standing for long periods and overheating in PPE.

For the reasons above I was seen by occupational health, who advised non clinical working and wfh if possible. I have quite a lot of admin duties alongside my clinical work so there is plenty to keep me occupied.

My request to work from home was denied by my manager (not formally, they just never responded to my requests). I had a pregnancy risk assessment but am now overdue one that should be done at 28 weeks.

The problem I am having, is repeated, casual requests or expectations for me to take on clinical work. This has escalated and I have come into work today to find that all of my shifts have been changed from “management days” to “clinical support nurse”. My manager has attached notes with duties they expect me to undertake on these days- assigning me junior members of staff that I am to work alongside, assessing of drug rounds and medications administrations and so on. Very much clinical, patient facing situations.

In addition to this making me worried and uncomfortable from the point of view of my existing pregnancy health issues, I am worried about coronavirus exposure. I am double vaccinated and not in a high risk group other than my pregnancy, however I am concerned recent advice related to premature birth, still birth etc. I am not generally anxious but as I go into my third trimester I am aware that this is the time to be quite careful.

Does anybody have any advice on where I stand with this legally? I have contacted occupational health to ask for more input on this, but there are long waits for responses from them. Part of me is thinking about contacting my GP and to request a fit note to back this up or to sign me off work, as I don’t feel that my workplace are fulfilling their duties to protect my health at this time. Obviously I wouldn’t rather not do this!

Thanks in advance

I would go up the chain and also speak to hr. Occupational health have given advise and this should be adhered to. It might also be worth asking a union rep for advise and potentially attend a meeting with yourself, manager and someone from hr if this isn't resolved with a word from oh, hr or a union rep.

Hello,

I actually just posted in legal matters before seeing this post.
I have a very similar situation (nurse in ireland too)
Was initially signed off clinical duties from 14 weeks+ due to risk of covid plancentitis.. but now management are wanting all pregnant staff to return to work if they are doubly vaccinated (we all seem to think it's due to short staffing issues)
I'm very nervous about this.. HSE guidelines haven't been updated since July.. I would really like to seek a legal stance on the whole situation.
If you hear of any progress please post back in here as I really have exhausted every measure at this point of looking for a solution... the only solution I'll have is to be signed off by my consultant for causing unnecessary anxiety and stress during the pregnancy

Definitely ask your GP for a fit note that follows the OH guidance I.e. non-clinical and wfh. Ideally the GP attaches the OH guidance and states not fit for work until this is put in place.

28 week risk assessment - raise this with HR and your Health and Safety lead.

Contact your TU, they are usually good at advocating in this situation.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice myself but I would contact Maternity Action to see what they say. I hope things get resolved for you.

My friend is a nurse at our local hospital. Their policy is no face to face contact for anyone pregnant after 28 weeks. Some still required to come to an office, others working from home.

Thanks for all the comments. I’m meeting with my matron tomorrow so will raise this and see what the response is. My next step will be GP for a fit note to back up the occupational health recommendation and then if nothing changes, I will speak to my GP again about signing me off altogether. It’s making me really anxious and worried about early labour and the health of my baby.

@coffeewithmilk I will let you know- another ward sister I am good friends with at work basically advised me to do just as you are suggesting- get signed off until may leave starts. I would rather not get to that point but will have to prioritise mine and baby’s health ultimately. Good luck to you!