Health System, Workforce- Questions Without Notice

Mr ANDREW: My question is to the Premier. With Queensland facing crippling workforce shortages in the healthcare sector and hundreds of Queensland health workers desperate to return to work after being stood down over the COVID-19 vaccine mandates, what possible reason can there be for the government refusing to re-employ those critically needed health workers today?
Mr MILES: I thank the member for Mirani for his question. I can confirm for the House that there are no barriers whatsoever for health workers who were disciplined under the COVID vaccine mandate to return. Indeed, we would encourage them to reapply because the member is right: we do need more nurses, doctors, paramedics, health professionals and support staff. We would encourage all of those former employees to reapply.
I understand the director-general has written directly to every one of the hospital and health services to make sure that they know that nothing precludes them from re-employing those health workers. The health minister has just advised me that 37 are already back at work. As I say, we would definitely encourage more to reapply. We would like to welcome them back to our hospitals.