AMA VICDOC Autumn 2024 - Magazine - Page 95
AU D I T
PROVISION
OF A PLACE TO
EXPRESS OR FEED
-
“Health Services will also provide
a comfortable place, other than a
bathroom, that is shielded from view
and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may
be used by a Doctor to express
breast milk or breastfeed
a child in privacy.” 1
was voluntary and took
T heplaceauditin August
and September 2023.
Of the 34 Victorian health services that
are signatories to the Enterprise Agreements
that we invited to take part, 26 (76.5%)
responded. Disappointingly, eight services
did not respond.
Working whilst lactating is a situation
many parents navigate when returning
to work after parental leave. Although
it is unlawful to discriminate against
people who breastfeed, the Fair Work
Act 2009 does not contain specific
breastfeeding provisions.
To work towards overcoming this shortfall
for AMAV members, the Specialists and
Doctors in Training Enterprise Agreements
include specifications around breastfeeding.
The Agreements specify that health services
must provide an appropriate place for
doctors who are nursing to express or feed.
WHAT WE LEARNED
-
“Our analysis of the information we
received shows that facilities are, or can
be, made available at all responding health
PROVISION
OF STORAGE
FACILITIES
-
“Appropriate refrigeration
will be available in proximity to
the area for breast milk storage.
Responsibility for labelling,
storage and use is with
the Doctor.” 2
services. However, the quality and extent
of these facilities and their furnishings
vary greatly and do not always meet best
practice recommendations or satisfy the
requirements of the Enterprise Agreement,”
says Jenny Hellsing, Workplace Relations
Adviser at AMAV, who oversaw the audit.
“For example, rooms that cannot be
locked and curtained-off areas that are also
accessible to the public and patients do not
provide a space that is free from intrusion.
Hand and equipment washing facilities
located at a distance from the breastfeeding
room may fail to provide adequate hygiene
facilities and pose a potential infection
control risk to lactating parents and their
babies. A single facility within a vast building
is not necessarily easily accessible and
flexibility regarding location may be
required by some doctors,” says Jenny.
“We encourage all health services to
review their breastfeeding facilities in
line with best practice guidelines and the
requirements of the Enterprise Agreements.
Proof of accreditation as a Breastfeeding
Friendly Workplace with the Australian
Breastfeeding Association is welcome.”
1. Section 46.2 – Medical Specialist Enterprise Agreement 2022-2026; Section 74.2 — Doctors in Training Enterprise Agreement 2022-2026
2. Section 46.3 – Medical Specialist Enterprise Agreement 2022-2026; Section 74.3 of the Doctors in Training Enterprise Agreement 2022-2026
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