Local hospitals reach ‘final milestone’ of COVID-19 vaccination policy requirements

Announced in the beginning of September, our local hospitals have now reached the final milestone of their jointly-implemented double vaccination policy – requiring staff, physicians, volunteers and contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Nov. 9. After months of working with staff on both support and educational efforts on the benefits of receiving the jab, local hospitals have now changed their tone – with enforcement action seeing a number of staff members across the region either having their employment terminated, or facing disciplinary action for failure to comply with the vaccine mandate. 

In a release sent to CityNews Kitchener, a spokesperson with Grand River Hospital has confirmed that 98 per cent of their 4,362 staff and MDs are now fully vaccinated, though 92 staff members will now “have their employment status with the hospital reviewed.”

Meanwhile at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, 97.3 per cent of staff are in compliance with the policy – either fully vaccinated or with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and a signed attestation that they will receive a second when eligible. A spokesperson with CMH noted that 44 staff members, or 2.7 per cent of staff, have chosen not to get vaccinated and will now be disciplined in accordance with the policy – facing possible termination.

Lee Fairclough is the President of St. Mary's General Hospital and the Hospital Lead for Waterloo-Wellington COVID response, and said St. Mary's has now terminated 22 staff members for failing to adhere to the facility's vaccination policy.

Speaking with CityNews Kitchener, Fairclough said the roll-out of the policy had been a gradual one, spurred on in September after directive from the province had required hospitals to establish their own policies on vaccination. After the province backed down from possibly implemented an Ontario-wide vaccination requirement for hospital workers, Fairclough said our local hospitals felt “compelled” to still add the extra layer of protection based on experience grappling with the Delta variant in the region, and in our local COVID experience. 

“Since September 7th, we've been implementing this strategy – including multiple stages where we were supporting people to become fully vaccinated (…) but then also trying to support those more hesitant in the decision – really trying to support them very actively through these conversations and at multiple touch points.”

Fairclough added that she's “very pleased” that over 99 per cent of St. Mary's staff are now fully vaccinated against the virus, or have received one dose with a signed attestation that they will be receiving a second as soon as they are eligible. She noted that figure represents close to 1,600 staff and nearly 400 physicians fully vaccinated, while also offering her apologies for the implications for those 22 staff members, noting the hospital will do its best to support them in transitioning to their new opportunities. 

“I think, people, at the end of the day – this is really their choice.” said Fairclough. “In a healthcare environment, and particularly in a hospital where we're caring for people at their most vulnerable health state, we just felt it was really critical that people working at the hospital are fully vaccinated.”

According to Fairclough, those 22 staff members that have had their employment status terminated range from a wide variety of departments – including a mix of casual, part-time and full time employees. When asked if there was any concern regarding the impact that the loss of these 22 staff members could have on operations at St. Mary's, Fairclough said the impact will likely be “fairly minimal” on services, as she emphasized that greater that 99 per cent of staff have adhered to the policy. Fairclough did mention, however, that recruitment efforts at the hospital are continuing. 

“I think about our own team here and the additional shifts that they've worked for long periods of time – and that too is unsustainable … and so, that's where I think we're trying various ways to bring people back to the hospital to support active learning and development.”

Fairclough noted as well that, in previous waves of the pandemic, hospital outbreaks or staff being off work due to COVID-19 infections had its own impact on St. Mary's ability to deliver service – as she said that reduced transmission within the hospital and between staff members will in itself help with the continued delivery of service. 

“I again just want to say to the community, we hope that this will give them an added level of confidence in the safety of the hospitals, and thank them for their support as we've been implementing this policy. To our team members that are leaving St. Mary's today, we wish them well.” said Fairclough. “To the more than 99 per cent of staff that have stepped forward, our volunteers as well as our physicians, we're really grateful that they're willing to do that and be sure that we can add this level of protection.”

Effective today, St. Mary’s will require proof of vaccination or a legal exemption for Care Partners and visitors.

This decision was made to enable more visits and reduce potential health risks to staff, patients and their families. Learn more: https://t.co/6HzwVbM8pP

— St. Mary's Hospital (@StMarysGenHosp) November 9, 2021