Student nursing placements in hospitals and health care providers will continue despite a student nurse on placement at Ballarat Health testing positive for COVID-19.
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The student nurse was confirmed as a Federation University student who lives on campus at Mount Helen.
The university said the student had been in self-isolation in a separate unit at FedLiving since August 1 and was receiving support from the university.
Although Federation University has decided to suspend all practical nursing laboratory classes for Bachelor of Nursing students across all campuses until the end of the restriction period, both they and ACU confirmed placements would continue.
"Normal teaching of our Bachelor of Nursing students will continue remotely and clinical placements will continue for third year nursing students and some second year students as planned," a Federation University spokesperson said.
"It is vital that health sciences students, including nursing, continue their education and ACU is still providing limited practical classes on campus. Now, more than ever, critical health workers need to complete their training in order to graduate and join the workforce, and the fight against COVID-19," said ACU Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Michelle Campbell.
"Laboratory classes give students the critical training, such as instruction on wearing personal protective equipment and enforcement of good clinical practice, before they go on placement. Health services have infection control included in their orientation for students."
A Ballarat Health press release on Thursday afternoon stated a student nurse had returned a positive test and was recovering, and tracing had begun to determine who the student had come in contact with.
"All patients on the ward deemed a close contact of the student will be tested as a precaution, and their families are being contacted. Additionally, all close contacts will be tested and must quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to the student," they said.
The student had also attended a practical nursing laboratory session at Federation University on July 28 and as a precaution, Building S at Mt Helen Campus was closed for deep cleaning and disinfecting and reopened on Friday.
BHS said on Thursday that the student was on placement after the implementation of PPE restrictions for all staff, and was required to wear a mask and follow infection control procedures at all times while on site.
"Ballarat Health Services is implementing further infection control processes under advice from our infection prevention and control specialists," they said.
There have not been any visitors allowed at Ballarat Health Services for more than two weeks.
"The welfare of our community, staff, patients, residents, and clients continues to be at the forefront of our response to COVID-19," the statement continued.
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"Students make a valuable contribution to Ballarat Health Services, and continuity of student clinical placements is important to the function of our health system.
"Ballarat Health Services works with universities and follows the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines to ensure clinical student placements continue where it is safe to do so.
"We continue to enforce strict infection prevention and control measures, along with visitor restrictions and screening at all Ballarat Health Services sites."
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