'Drawing a line in the sand': Huron-Perth hospitals ready to make vaccines mandatory
If 95 per cent of staff are not vaccinated by Sept. 30, a mandatory vaccine policy will be implemented
A hospital network in Huron-Perth is ready to introduce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy across four hospitals to increase vaccine rates if they are not met by fall.
The board of directors of Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) announced its decision Wednesday to be prepared to implement the policy if needed.
"We really felt that it was important to send a message, particularly on the safety front, that if we don't reach a certain level of vaccine uptake, that we do need to mandate," HPHA President and CEO Andrew Williams told CBC London.
"We really are drawing a line in the sand saying that if you are going to work in our organization, if you're going to learn in our organization, you do need to be vaccinated."
As of Wednesday, 85 per cent of staff, physicians and midwives at all four hospitals have received both shots. If by Sept. 30, the HPHA does not reach 95 per cent, Williams said the hospitals will enforce the rule.
If implemented, the rule would apply to all doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers at Stratford General Hospital, Clinton Public Hospital, St Marys Memorial Hospital and Seaforth Community Hospital.
"Our team has had first-hand experience of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on patients, families and communities," Williams said.
Unvaccinated people will be required to submit signed confirmation of their current intention to decline to be vaccinated, get regularly tested and participate in modules on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines starting Sept. 13.
The Ontario Medical Association and the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario have called for mandatory vaccines for health-care workers but Premier Doug Ford said that health-care workers have a "constitutional right" to opt out of vaccination.
"The Board of Directors' primary accountability is the safety of those receiving and providing care at our four hospital sites," said Ron Lavoie, HPHA Board Chair.
Williams said reaction so far has been "remarkably positive" but acknowledged the contentiousness of the rule.
"It certainly will generate conversation, there's no two ways about that," Williams said.
"If others step forward, I think that's great. The bottom line, though, is people need to be vaccinated, and our preference is not to have the mandate, but we have drawn that line in the sand saying that we will."