Pregnant Nurse with new guidance RE COVID 19

[TTC1993]

Whats your thoughts on the new advice about pregnant women in high risk category for covid 19? Are you guys still going in to work given we've been told so self isolate now?

Just to let you know the RCOG guidance has been updated stating that every pregnant healthcare worker requires a risk assessment and (although discreet it states)

"Pregnant women of any gestation should not be required to continue working if this is not supported by the risk assessment, as per the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999"

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/

Sorry and importantly this:

Following a risk assessment with their employer and occupational health, pregnant women should only be supported to continue working if the risk assessment advises that it is safe for them to do so.This means that employers must remove any risks (that are greater in the workplace than to what they would be exposed to outside of the workplace), or else they should be offered suitable alternative work. Issues about pay and remuneration are beyond the remit of this guidance. If alternative work cannot be found, advice on suspension and pay should be sought from the relevant trade union and/or staff representative.There is some further guidance available from the BMA, RCM and Maternity Action.

Thanks for the info @Traysea. Have your employers carried out a specific covid19 risk assessment? I’ve only had the standard pregnancy one but when I spoke to occupational health it’s sounds like there should be a specific covid one?

Hi @RoseABC I’m not aware of any specific covid-19 risk assessment. I’m not sure if it’s something that would be covered with regard to the environment - if the environment puts you at more risk than what you would be exposed to outside of the workplace then you should be able to argue working from home- as in if you are strictly practicing social distancing then you would be at more risk in an office environment than staying at home. I’ve spoken to different friends in different healthboards and they’ve said it’s standard practice for pregnant women where they work to be sent home to work so I’m hoping this will become common practice soon- especially now the guidelines have been updated.

Thanks, I have now received a specific covid 19 risk assessment that basically says it is safe for me to continue to work in a patient facing role, to take precautions by not taking confirmed or suspected covid patient. However clearly I would not be able to socially distance and would be at a greater risk than I am outside of my workplace. I have been signed off by gp for now. I need to make a decision on what to do when my certification runs out and currently no option of non patient facing roles. When I spoke to RCN rep they said that most trust were being supportive of pregnant staff so it’s disappointing.

Hi @RoseABC I’m really sorry to hear that. That’s really disappointing. Was it a pregnancy specific risk assessment for Covid? I’ve not heard of them. The guidelines clearly state you have the right to choose if you are patient facing or not. It seems your workplace are in the wrong on this occasion - if you want to be certain of your rights visit different websites such as
maternityaction.org.uk/
pregnantthenscrewed.com/
Have a big read of these. There’s different draft emails you can send your employer informing them of the laws surrounding pregnancy on these websites which might be helpful and i also accessed free legal advice regarding my work situation through Pregnant Then Screwed. The solicitor basically said the moment you leave your house you are more at risk. We should all be working from home. I’m currently also signed off but working with my employers to try and find an alternative other than being in the office. If there are no other role options for you they should medically suspend you on full pay. I hope we are all taken seriously. Don’t give up!