Mandatory vaccination order and guidelines published
Mandatory vaccination order and guidelines published
The vaccination order for the health and disability sector has been published. The order comes into effect at 11:59pm on Monday, 25 October 2021.
The Ministry of Health has prepared guidelines to support the order.
The amended dates by which health and disability workers must be vaccinated:
- First dose by 15 November 2021
- Second dose by 1 January 2022.
Please familiarise yourself with the order requirements. The Ministry guidelines may answer some of your questions. We are aware that some of the professional organisations are also supporting their members with further business and employment related advice.
For queries about the order or implications for businesses, contact the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Practitioner communication with our staff members
Council is concerned about the way some practitioners are speaking and communicating with our secretariat staff.
Abusive or threatening behaviour is never acceptable. We understand that this is a difficult time for many practitioners, but this does not justify shouting, using a raised voice or being overbearing when you contact our office. Bullying, intimidation and name calling is unprofessional and not an acceptable way to express your point of view.
Council has a legal and moral obligation to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff which we take very seriously. Receiving abusive, intimidating and bullying telephone calls or emails from practitioners is clearly threatening to wellbeing and is causing distress and harm to our staff members.
Again, Council accepts some practitioners are particularly stressed right now, but there is no excuse for bullying and abusive behaviour.
All practitioners have professional and ethical obligations under Council’s Standards Framework for Oral Health Practitioners. If individuals cannot maintain an appropriate standard of behaviour when communicating with the secretariat, Council will take steps it considers appropriate to protect our staff’s wellbeing and safety.
Kia noho haumaru, stay safe.
Andrew Gray (Chair) & Marie Warner (CE)