WELLINGTON COUNTY – While other hospitals in the region will require patient care partners to be double vaccinated by Nov. 9 to enter the buildings, hospitals in Wellington County have not yet taken that step.
Alison Armstrong, manager of communications for Wellington County’s three hospitals, said in an email that the hospitals are reviewing their policy for care partners.
“For now, we continue to allow essential care partners and screen visitors for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering the hospital,” she said.
Patient care partners can be family members or health professionals who attend appointments with a patient and lobby and advocate for their care.
Wellington County hospitals – Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus, Louise Marshall Community Hospital in Mount Forest, and Palmerston and District Hospital – united with hospitals in Kitchener and Guelph on mandatory vaccination policies for staff.
As of Oct. 12, all hospital staff are required to be double vaccinated against COVID-19. On Oct. 13, Angela Stanley, the new president and CEO of Wellington County’s hospitals, announced that 14 unvaccinated staff were put on unpaid leave. That represents two per cent of the 671 staff who work on the three campuses.
Armstrong said detailed visitor guidelines, including any updates or changes, will be posted at www.nwhealthcare.ca and www.gmch.ca.
