COVID-19 information for NALHN staff


Testing and results  

COVID-19/Viral Respiratory/Cold/Gastro and Flu symptoms - Staff must not attend work whilst symptomatic at any time.

Staff MUST undertake a RAT at the commencement of any symptoms.

  • (Symptoms include runny or blocked nose, sore throat, aches and pains, cough, feeling more tired than usual, headache, loss of or change in taste and smell, loss of appetite or nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea (less than 4 times per day), fever or temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, shakes or shivers, dizziness or light-headedness, mild shortness of breath when walking briskly, upstairs or coughing).

If the RAT is positive, you are deemed to be COVID-positive:

  • You do not require a follow-up PCR (unless directed to by Staff Health certain circumstances may apply).
  • Report to your line manager to discuss work arrangements and refer to the NALHN Staff COVID-19 testing and surveillance table (PDF) for requirements. Refer to column 1 for updated isolation requirements.
  • Do not attend the workplace for 5 days for the purpose of undertaking employment-related duties.
  • Report your result using the online form.

 If the RAT is negative (and you have symptoms)

Accessing tests and contacts 

  • Staff should ask their line manager for RAT tests.
  • Staff Health can supply Managers with Oracle ordering details for RAT tests.
  • RAT/PCR testing will continue to be utilised for wards/units in response to a localised internal COVID outbreak.
  • Staff Health can provide staff directly with RATs and PCRs when required.
  • The DNC office at the Lyell McEwin Hospital (LMC) and Modbury Hospital both have RAT and PCR stock for afterhours access.
  • For staff that are directed to undertake a self-swab PCR, the drop box remains available 24/7 on the outside wall of the LMH SA Pathology building (enter the carpark from Haydown Rd, the box is on the side wall of the building).

Close contacts

All employees, contractors, students on placement and volunteers who are close contacts should refer to the NALHN Staff COVID-19 testing and surveillance table (PDF) for requirements.

Hand hygiene

All staff must use the hand sanitiser that is available at all NALHN entry points. Hand Hygiene must also be performed as per the 5 moments for hand hygiene in the clinical area.

International travel

If you are returning from overseas travel refer to the NALHN Staff COVID-19 testing and surveillance table (PDF) for requirements.

Contacting Staff Health

NALHN Staff Health can be contacted on (08) 8282 0792 Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Advice outside of these hours will follow the Occupational Exposures Procedure.

Contacting IPCS 

  • LMH (08) 8182 9126, ext 29126 and Modbury Hospital (08) 8161 2096, ext 2096
  • NALHN IPCS is available during 8:00 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday

Staff well-being and contacts

Employee Assistance Program

Your wellbeing is important to us, and we want to reassure you that our Employee Assistance Providers, Access Programs, Human Psychology and Australian Institute for Loss and Grief are available to support you through this uncertain time.

Access Programs, Human Psychology and Australian Institute for Loss and Grief have transitioned to a telephone counselling model. Staff will be able to access telephone appointments in lieu of all face-to-face counselling appointments.

To make an appointment you may call them directly on the following numbers:

The 24/7 after-hours on-call crisis counselling via the above phone numbers will continue as normal.

Culturally sensitive counsellors are available for Aboriginal employees and their families.  Please make this request upon making a booking.

NALHN staff support

In addition to EAP support, assistance is available for the following:

Telephone and online support services

Accessing information from home

Staff who have a valid HAD login and O365 account (email address and password) can access the intranet and their work emails on any device through any internet browser via Microsoft website.  Select the Outlook app for email and the SharePoint app for the intranet.