In the daily newspaper “Rzeczpospolita” we answer readers’ questions about coronavirus (15.04.2020)

On 15 April 2020, a reader asked:

“I’m a chronically ill person and I’ve been sent to perform risk work to combat the epidemic. What can I do ?” 

The answer was provided by attorney-at-law Ewelina Jeglikowska – Director of the Department of Medical Law and Medical Entities Services:

“The current regulations do not allow directing people with chronic diseases to work in the fight against the epidemic, which carries a risk of infection. This means that the decision to refer people to such work should not have been issued to such persons at all. However, if the decision is nevertheless taken, it is immediately enforceable. Failure to comply with it exposes the addressee to the risk of a financial penalty in the amount of PLN 5 to 30 thousand. 

Therefore, we recommend: 

• appealing against the decision in accordance with the instruction contained therein (the decision of the Governor may be appealed against to the Minister of Health, filed within 14 days from the date of delivery of the decision),
• immediate notification of the referring authority (as a rule the Governor) and the entity for whom the work is to be performed of a chronic disease, presenting a medical certificate of a chronic disease, and
• if taking up work to combat the epidemic alone would endanger the health or life of the person concerned, we recommend obtaining sick leave (L4) and sending it to the entity for which the work is to be performed.”

https://www.rp.pl/Bezpieczenstwo/304159911-Koronawirus-Czy-do-pracy-przy-epidemii-moze-zostac-skierowana-osoba-przewlekle-chora.html

Also on 15 April 2020, a reader posed the following question: 

“I’m a nurse and I wasn’t doing my job. In connection with the SARSCoV2 virus epidemic, I intend to take up the profession. Do I have to receive training beforehand ?” 

The answer was provided by attorney-at-law Anna Piotrowska-Musioł from the Department of Medical Law and Medical Entities Service:

“A nurse or midwife who has not practised for more than 5 years in total in the last 6 years, and intends to rejoin the profession, is required to notify the competent district council of nurses and midwives and to undergo no more than 6 months of training under the supervision of another person authorised to do so. In the event of an epidemic hazard, state of epidemic or in the event of a risk of spreading an infection or infectious disease, a nurse and a midwife who has not practised the profession is – exceptionally – entitled to start practising in a medical facility, after notifying the District Council of Nurses and Midwives. For the first two weeks the nurse or midwife shall work in cooperation with another nurse or a midwife, working in the same establishment, after which they can work independently. The duration of the pursuit of the profession under these rules shall count towards the period of compulsory training.”

https://www.rp.pl/Lekarze-i-pielegniarki/304159910-Koronawirus-ulatwienia-dla-pielegniarek-powracajacych-do-wykonywania-zawodu.html