Two reports on meat plant outbreaks being prepared
The Minister for Health Simon Harris has asked the HSE for a report on issues relating to the communication of COVID-19 results of workers to management in meat plant facilities and nursing homes.
The report comes after it emerged that in some cases the test results of individual workers in nursing homes and meat processing plants were communicated firstly to their employers.
It comes amidst the confirmation that there have been over 800 positive cases in meat plants across the country.
In a letter to Deputy Denis Naughten this afternoon, Minister Harris said: “This will set out the circumstances under which results were not communicated to individual workers in affected meat plants and in long term residential care facilities, and the actions that are being taken to ensure that communication of the results of individual COVID-19 tests is directly to the individual.”
Minister Harris also acknowledged that he shares concerns raised by Denis Naughten regarding confidentiality issues
“The principle of confidentiality is important and one that we should adhere to,” he said.
He also revealed that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will consider a report on the COVID-19 outbreaks in meat processing plants tomorrow (Friday).
The Minister said the report was prepared by National Outbreak Management Team.
“I welcome the fact that Minister Harris has reversed his position on the disclosure of medical test results to employers and is now seeking an explanation from the Department of Health and the HSE,” stated Denis Naughten.
Naughten said, however, that he still had questions including:
Why was the decision taken to provide results to employers instead of contacting employees directly as all subjects of mass testing were asked to provide a contact number?
Who made the decision?
Did this happen in all settings in which mass testing occurred?
Were results provided to employers even where employees were contacted by the HSE?
Have the data subjects all been informed now by the HSE that sensitive health data about them was provided to their employer and details of how this data was processed?