Pregnant nurse Ella refused to get a Covid jab and was fired from her job at a children’s hospital. Now she plots the ultimate revenge
A passionate nurse is threatening legal action after she was fired this week for refusing to get a Covid jab in 2021 – even though the health worker mandate was withdrawn in September 2023.
Ella Leach, 29, secretary of the Nurses Professional Association QLD, last weekend sued Children’s Health Queensland over her ‘unfair dismissal’.
The seven-month pregnant mother-to-be is also demanding an apology from Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace for making “misleading” comments about her case.
Ms Leach claims that by firing more than 1,200 nurses in a similar position, the State Government is “just trying to prove a point” amid a healthcare workforce shortage.
Ella Leach, 29, is suing Children’s Health Queensland over her unfair dismissal last weekend. She was fired for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine, despite her mandate ending in September 2023
Ms Leach is also demanding an explanation from Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace, who she says made “misleading” comments about her dismissal.
Ms Grace had said there were “specific circumstances” behind Ms Leach’s dismissal when asked about the decision to sack her.
However, according to Ms Leach, the only allegation in her resignation letter related to her refusal to comply with the vaccine mandate.
“Ms. Grace has my permission to elaborate further on the ‘specific circumstances’ surrounding my case,” she said told the Courier Post.
“Given that another pregnant nurse was fired from Queensland Health two days after me, I know this is not an isolated incident.”
The minister had previously said there was “more” to Ms Leach’s case than met the eye, but that she could not release additional details due to privacy concerns.
“It’s very difficult to comment on an individual case, but I think there is more to this case,” Ms Grace said.
‘We are doing everything we can to recruit healthcare workers, but it is clear that when directions are given, we expect them to be followed.’
In a letter to the minister, Ms Leach wrote that she had “waived any right to privacy” and was “eager” to understand the circumstances Ms Grace referred to.
“I have yet to receive any further information…other than what was in my resignation letter,” Ms Leach wrote.
‘Otherwise I would like to receive an apology from you for portraying my circumstances of dismissal as something other than what they were: a pregnant Queensland Health nurse being dismissed for disobeying a healthcare employment directive who is no longer is strength.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Grace’s office and Queensland Health for comment.
Ms Grace had claimed there were ‘specific circumstances’ behind the termination, but Ms Leach said this was solely due to her refusal to be vaccinated
Ms Leach has waived her privacy rights so that Ms Grace can explain the other circumstances surrounding her dismissal
Mrs Leach worked as a nurse for seven years and had experience in neurosurgery, neurology, orthopedics, medicine and oncology.
Before the pandemic, she had never been subject to disciplinary processes or management intervention.
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Tuesday, Ms Leach said the tragedy had taken her attention away from her pregnancy.
“I should be focusing on the joys of becoming a mother, but that’s been overshadowed by this whole process,” she said.
Ms Leach appeared on Sky News Australia, where she revealed 50 other Queensland Health employees she knew had similarly lost their jobs, even after the vaccine mandate was withdrawn.
In September 2021, all Queensland Health staff working in facilities where healthcare was provided were told to be vaccinated against Covid, but this guidance was withdrawn in September 2023 by new director-general Michael Walsh.
“There is no sensible reason why they should go ahead with this action,” Ms Leach said.
‘We know our hospitals are crying out for staff. We see ambulances driving outside hospitals, people dying in ambulances, our rural areas suffering.”
Ms Leach said she was one of at least 50 employees she knew who had been made redundant since September 25 last year.
Children’s Health Queensland said in a statement that it is “unable to comment publicly on the employment situation, including disciplinary actions, of individual staff.”
“Employee disciplinary matters are handled on a case-by-case basis and governed by robust and fair processes.”
In September 2021, Queensland Health staff were told they had to get a Covid vaccination to keep their jobs, but this guidance was overturned two years later (file image)
Ms Leach said she was aware that some staff had been told they could reapply for their old jobs.
‘In my role as secretary I have seen hundreds of letters sent to staff on this issue.’
“They say they are on a case by case basis, but they are template letters and they insert what you wrote back to them and say, ‘Even if we haven’t addressed your concern, don’t think we have'” there not taken into account,” she claimed.
“Then they’ll just fire you, that’s disgraceful.”
“I’ve talked to nurses who have lost their homes because of this.”
In withdrawing the vaccine mandate, Mr Walsh said a wide range of opinions had been submitted that informed the decision.
This included staff feedback, expert clinical advice, official immunization advice and a ‘human rights assessment’.
Similar vaccine mandates for healthcare workers were lifted in NSW at the end of 2022, but the mandate remains in place in Victoria.