Coronavirus crisis: Perth midwives in work uniforms leading anti-lockdown protest face disciplinary action

Disciplinary action is being launched against a pair of King Edward Memorial Hospital midwives who led a protest against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination at the weekend. The women were pictured in their work uniforms as they held a large banner which stated “coercion is not consent” as protesters marched in the CBD on Saturday against mandatory vaccination and lockdowns. Their employer, the North Metropolitan Health Service, today said it was taking “appropriate action” against staff who wore their uniform while “participating in non-work related activities”. A furious Mark McGowan on Tuesday blasted the midwives, who will be banned from working in private and public hospitals by the end of the year if they refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “I saw on the weekend nurses leading rallies against vaccinations, which I just think is just disgraceful,” the Premier said in Parliament. “Just disgraceful that someone who does a nursing degree is then opposed to medicine. It's so incomprehensible to me that people would think that way, but it's also dangerous. “Anyway, I'm sure Health will deal with people in that position and in any event they are required to get vaccinated so they'll have to make a choice themselves at some point in time.” A NMHS spokesman said it was expected that all hospital and service staff only wear their uniform while on duty. Australian Nurses Federation state secretary Mark Olson said the union would provide appropriate representation to its members, even if he didn’t not agree with their stance. Mr Olson said he had rejected invitation to anti-mandatory vaccine rallies and the ANF was “unwavering in its support” of the State Government’s policy to make the vaccine compulsory for health care workers. He urged Health Department bosses to use caution and not take a heavy-handed approach to dealing with the midwives. He said any nurse who wore their uniform outside of work — be it to catch a bus or to attend a rally — could potentially face disciplinary action, “but generally cooler heads prevail”. “We have a small minority of our members who don’t agree with our position that we support mandatory vaccination for health care workers,” Mr Olson said. From October 1, health care workers will need to have had at least their first dose to access tier one facilities such as intensive care units, high dependency units, respiratory wards, emergency departments, COVID-19 clinics and vaccination hubs. All health workers have to be fully vaccinated by January 1.