Halton Healthcare to enact mandatory COVID vaccination policy
Published September 1, 2021 at 3:48 pm
Halton Healthcare Services is among 14 hospitals in Ontario who have come up with a joint COVID-19 vaccination policy they say will eventually lead to unpaid leave or termination for unvaccinated staff.
The CEOs and chiefs of staffs sent a letter to outlining the hospitals’ shared policy that, as of Sept. 7, all employees, credentialed staff, contractors, students and volunteers will have to provide proof of full vaccination or undergo regular testing and an education session.
Earlier this month, the province put out a directive that mandates employers in health and education require staff
to disclose vaccination status by the date or face an education session and testing requirements.
The “progressive plan” by the 14 hospitals will ultimately see harsher consequences for unvaccinated employees.
If staff is unvaccinated and without a medical exemption by those dates, the CEOs say the plan will lead to “unpaid leave and/or termination for cause.”
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“COVID-19 cases are starting to increase again in our communities and across the province with the most severe impacts affecting those who are unvaccinated,” the letter reads.
“As a health system, we need to do everything possible to safeguard our patients, families, communities and those who provide their care.”
The other hospitals involved are Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, William Osler Health System in Brampton and Etobicoke, Humber River Hospital, Mackenzie Health, and Georgian Bay General Hospital.
Rounding out the 14 hospitals involved are the Headwaters Health Care Centre, Oak Valley Health, North York General Hospital, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Stevenson Memorial Hospital and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.
– With files from Canadian Press
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