Dozens of unvaccinated Windsor, Ont. hospital staff suspended without pay
Windsor, Ont., hospitals have suspended dozens of employees without pay for not getting their COVID-19 vaccines, per employee policy.
Windsor Regional Hospital reports that 3,398 or 96 per cent of its employees are fully vaccinated or have complied with the policy of getting at least one dose by Wednesday, Sept. 22.
As of Wednesday, 140 of the employees have not complied with the policy. Of these employees 84 are considered clinical staff and 56 are considered non-clinical staff.
Also, 534 or 99 per cent of WRH professional staff are fully vaccinated or have complied with the policy, while seven have not. However, only two of the seven are full-time employees.
The policy was unanimously passed by WRH’s Medical Advisory Committee on Sept. 2 and was approved by WRH’s Board of Directors on Sept. 3.
“The policy is part of a progressive plan to ensure that all employees, Professional Staff, Affiliates, volunteers, and students (“Staff”) are vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a valid exemption,” said the hospital in a memo to staff on Wednesday.
WRH says staff who did not receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 22, 2021, will be placed on a two-week unpaid leave.
If those staff members have not received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 7, 2021, their employment will be terminated; or their privileges will be suspended on an immediate mid-term basis (with a recommendation going forward that their privileges be revoked/terminated) and the related by-law process will be followed.
As a result, hospital officials say the final number of staff still unvaccinated will not be known until after Oct. 7.
“I am very proud of our Windsor Regional Hospital team leading by example for our community. All our WRH Board members unanimously supported the implementation of the WRH Vaccine Policy and also lead by example themselves on the importance of getting vaccinated,” stated Anthony Paniccia, WRH Board Chair.
WRH CEO David Musyj says the hospital has put the safety and well-being of patients, our community and team members first by requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The individuals who have not complied with the policy and decided not to be vaccinated will not impact the provision of clinical or non-clinical care to our community,” said Musyj.
Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare
Effective Sept. 22 at 12:01 a.m. all staff and physicians at HDGH in Windsor must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to attend the Hospital pursuant to our policy unless provided an approved exemption.
HDGH has a 96 per cent vaccination rate. As of Wednesday morning, this will affect 32 employees who are now suspended without pay.
HDGH officials say if these employees do not have the first vaccination on or before Oct. 6, they will face termination with cause.
Erie Shores Healthcare in Leamington
ESHC is in Phase 1 of their staff vaccination policy, which includes twice-weekly testing by staff and physicians who aren’t fully vaccinated. Phase 2 of their policy, which requires all staff and physicians to have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to attend the hospital, goes into effect on Oct. 4.
At this time, ESHC says 95 per cent of staff have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and they are hopeful more will receive their first shot prior to the deadline.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.