Swine flu — Risk to education staff
1179. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Education
I refer to the ongoing swine flu pandemic, and ask -
(1) What measures have been put in place to limit the exposure of those Department of Education and Training (DET) employees in high risk categories (including pregnant women), to swine flu?
(2) Does the DET provide its employees, including all teachers, with adequate advice on the risks of the swine flu so that they are able to make fully informed decisions regarding their work and their personal circumstances?
(3) If yes to (2), -
(a) how is this information disseminated; and
(b) how often is this information updated and re-issued?
Hon PETER COLLIER replied:
(1) The Department has maintained close liaison with the Department of Health throughout the period of the Human Swine Flu pandemic. As issues have arisen the advice of the Department of Health has been sought. This was the case with staff considered to be potentially at higher risk, particularly pregnant women. As a result, a bulletin was prepared and distributed to all schools and displayed on the Department's website on 18 August 2009. Frequently asked questions and their answers, supplied by the Department of Health, were provided in this bulletin.
(2) Yes.
(3) (a)-(b) During the period of the Human Swine Flu pandemic, the Department distributed a total of eight bulletins to all schools. These were also displayed on the Department's website. The first bulletin was distributed on 25 May 2009 and the most recent on 18 August 2009. Most bulletins contained web links to appropriate State and Federal websites in order for people to obtain further information if required. All bulletins were made available for use by the Catholic Education Office and the Association for Independent Schools in WA.
Information for public sector employees was provided to the Department by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and immediately posted on the Department's website.
A dedicated 1800 telephone line for the Human Swine Flu was established for principals at the end of May. The telephone line was extensively used by principals over a period of months.