Just over two dozen staffers at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) have been fired for declining to get the COVID-19 vaccine or for not complying with the new mandatory vaccination policy.
CKHA notified the 26 staff members and one doctor that they were no longer employed at either the Chatham or the Wallaceburg sites. The deadline to comply with the policy was on Sunday and hospital officials said none of the 26 employees or the doctor have worked since then.
CKHA was among several hospitals in Ontario that moved forward with a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for staff, physicians, and volunteers.
"The enhanced policy was unanimously approved by CKHA’s Board of Directors and is part of a progressive plan to ensure that all staff, professional staff, volunteers, including Board members, students and contractors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a valid exemption," said the hospital group in a news release issued on Monday morning.
CKHA said physicians who have not complied with the policy will be reviewed by CKHA’s Medical Advisory Committee and those who have not complied with the policy will be notified that their privileges have been suspended on an immediate mid-term basis with a recommendation going forward that their privileges be revoked or terminated and the related bylaw process will be followed.
"The enhanced policy is required to protect CKHA’s patients, colleagues, and community and to support the hospital’s ability to provide vital health care services to the citizens of Chatham-Kent during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as described in detail in the Letter to the Community from CKHA and its regional hospital partners published on September 3, 2021. The policy follows Directive #6 implemented by the Provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health," said the CKHA.
Almost 1,300 of CKHA staff (1,293) have been fully vaccinated or have complied with the policy. That's 98 per cent of its staff. The nursing (registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners) compliance rate with the policy is 97.7 per cent. Those who have not complied with the policy, include 16 clinical staff and 10 non-clinical staff. The unvaccinated staff were spread across multiple programs and departments.
Hospital officials said recruiting continues to fill the positions.
“Our decision to implement a mandatory vaccination policy was to instill confidence in our community and organization that CKHA is a safe place to both receive and deliver care,” said CKHA President and CEO Lori Marshall. “Although this is a difficult day at CKHA as we say goodbye to valued members of our team, these actions will help reduce the potential for outbreaks, service interruptions and provide an even safer hospital environment for all."
CKHA's Chief of Staff agreed and added the new policy makes the hospital and the community safer.
"This progressive policy ensures that we are doing everything possible to limit the spread of this highly contagious virus. Our patients and families deserve the best protection we can provide and will take comfort in knowing that their care team has been fully vaccinated. I want to thank our staff, physicians and volunteers who recognize the importance of COVID-19 vaccines,” said CKHA Chief of Staff Dr. Pervez Faruqi.
Meanwhile, CKHA is reporting six Chatham-Kent residents are in the Chatham hospital with the virus, a jump of three over the weekend. None is in the ICU or on a ventilator.
Chatham-Kent Public Health is reporting two new outbreaks at Chatham Christian High School and Thamesville Area Central Public School for a total of five outbreaks. Each location has two cases. The other three continuing outbreaks are at two unidentified workplaces and a congregate living setting. Those lingering outbreaks account for 20 cases overall.
Riverview Gardens announced on Monday morning that it is in outbreak mode after an employee on the fifth floor tested positive for COVID-19. The municipal long term care home said residents of the fifth floor continue to have no visitors allowed and caregivers may visit but must wear full personal protection equipment provided by the home.
The outbreak at Kids Connection Daycare in Chatham has been declared over.
The number of active cases in Chatham-Kent is at 60, an increase of one since Friday.
