Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital announces COVID-19 vaccination requirements

The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) is committed to the health and safety of its staff and physicians and has a duty to actively promote, implement, and comply with COVID-19 immunization recommendations in order to decrease the risk of infection and complications in the staff, physicians, and patients/clients that PSFDH serves.

PSFDH has created a policy that goes beyond the Ontario government Directive No. 6 issued on August 17by Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health that requires all health-care workers in the province get vaccinated or routinely tested prior to coming to work. The new policy will take effect Tuesday, September 7, 2021 and will require that all Staff, Physicians, Students and Contractors to take measures to be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021, with the exception of those with a documented medical or other human rights exemption.

“Ensuring the safety of all patients, staff, physicians and visitors to our hospital sites is our number one priority. Patients should have confidence that they will receive the safest care when they attend our hospital,” said Nancy Shaw, Interim President & CEO.

High rates of vaccination within the PSFDH family are important to protect the health and safety of all people: our patients as well as those who live in, work, and visit settings where we work and to help reduce the risk of outbreaks and the need to isolate patients, their families and other community congregate setting participants.

Ms. Shaw added that, “since early 2021, PSFDH has been working with staff and physicians to provide education on vaccination along with providing in-house vaccination clinics. To date, we have been successful in fully vaccinating over 90% of all and physicians.”

Everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated is encouraged to do as soon as possible. The COVID-19 vaccines are Health Canada approved and are safe and effective. More information regarding vaccination can be found at the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

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Author: Hometown News