Healthcare specialists, including retired doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and allied health professionals, are being called on to return to work as part of the Victorian Government’s coronavirus response.

Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today launched a new website where people with a wide range of skill sets can express their interest to work as part of Victoria’s health system, with the aim of boosting our workforce and response during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Victorian Government will also be seeking expressions of interest from patient care assistants, assistants-in-nursing, and undergraduate students in health-related disciplines to provide essential support to our doctors, nurses and midwives.

To support this recruitment, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF Victorian Branch) this week commenced updated workshops for nurses eager to return to the workforce as part of efforts to battle coronavirus, training an additional 32 nurses this week with many more to come.

Victoria’s health services are also taking the opportunity to refresh and skill up nurses and midwives across the state with the support of the government’s $50 million Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Development Fund.

The Victorian Government has so far invested an additional $537 million in our health system as part of our coronavirus response, including more beds, ICU equipment and personal protective equipment to keep our dedicated health care workers safe.

Health professionals who believe they have the drive and skills to be part of Victoria’s frontline coronavirus responsive, can register their interest via the Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website  dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos

“Our healthcare workers are heroes on the frontline of this crisis and we need all hands on deck as we face this unprecedented challenge.”

“We’re doing everything we can to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives. But additional support may be needed, which is why we’re asking for skilled health professionals to come back to work and help care for
Victorians.”

“Everybody has a role to play in slowing the spread of coronavirus and to take the pressure off our health system. Our message is clear: if you can stay at home, you must stay at home.”