By Cecilia Nasmith
Like hospitals throughout the province, Northumberland Hills Hospital has instituted a vaccination policy.
President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh made the announcement in her report to the October board meeting.
The policy began Sept. 7, with an eight-week implementation period by which all staff, physicians and midwives to provide proof of full vaccination – or an accepted and documented medical reason.
“This also applies to contractors, students and volunteers,” Walsh added.
“We did not make this decision lightly. We went through a very extensive consultation process, speaking to a large range of stakeholders, including our regional hospital partners, physicians, our Occupational Health and Safety Committee, union partners, our Patient and Family Advisory Council and our regional ethicist,” she listed.
“We have found strong support of our current policy internally, and almost all our staff, physicians and midwives are already in compliance.”
To put a number to it, she noted that 97% of them are already fully vaccinated.
“Our policy is consistent with direction taken by many of the hospitals across the province, it was made in line with the province's direction of trying to do all we can to protect everyone, including the vulnerable patients we care for.”
