By Staff
December 23rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Enhanced safety measures in response to Omicron also include visiting restrictions
To protect the health and safety of its patients and healthcare workers amid rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province, Joseph Brant Hospital will be implementing new vaccination requirements and limits on essential care providers (ECPs) and visitors.
Effective Thursday, December 23, all essential care partners (ECPs) and visitors must show proof of full vaccination (i.e. vaccine receipt or enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code) or a documented medical exemption, as well as government-issued ID.
Joseph Brant Hospital will be implementing new vaccination requirements and limits on essential care providers (ECPs) and visitors.
In addition, limits will be placed on the number of ECPs and visitors entering the hospital each day. Patients staying in the hospital may designate a maximum of two (2) ECPs or visitors; only one is permitted in the hospital at any time. ECPs and visitors are prohibited from eating or drinking in patient rooms and must wear hospital-issued masks at all times, as well as practice physical distancing and hand hygiene.
For more information about ECP/visitor restrictions in other areas of the hospital, including the Emergency Department and Labour and Delivery, please go to our website.
These changes are in response to a surge in community transmission of the Omicron variant. Many hospitals in the Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant-Burlington Region and the Greater Toronto Area have taken similar measures to protect their patients and healthcare workers from potential COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks that could impact hospital operations and care.
“These are difficult decisions, but we are taking necessary precautions to help keep everyone safe in the face of this new threat,” said Eric Vandewall, President and CEO. “We know this is a stressful time for everyone, including our staff and physicians who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. They recognize and value the important role that families, loved ones and caregivers play in supporting our patients. We will get through this together, with your patience and kindness.”
It’s about time.
I went for an appointment at JBH in September. I asked the intake person if vaccination was mandatory. She said no. I was quite surprised to hear that considering that the hospital has sick patients and essential hospital staff.
The steps taken to protect patients and staff of JBH are necessary. I’m glad that essential care visitors will be allowed in. Currently as of yesterday I’m not able to visit my father at his retirement home because you have to provide your own rapid test and prove negative to enter. So since you can’t get rapid tests, my 91 year father will not see his family this Christmas. It is likely his last Christmas and I will not share it with him. I blame the government for enacting Directive #3 requiring testing to enter retirement homes and then giving out all the testing kits willy nilly to anyone. Why were not long term care and retirement homes prioritized?