Throughout this pandemic, we know RPNs continue to be at the forefront delivering exceptional care to patients, residents and clients across Ontario. We've been working hard to showcase that important work with government and in the media. We want to highlight a couple of recent news stories that show both the personal sacrifice and the important impact that RPNs are having across Ontario:
These stories offer a
small glimpse into the kind of stress and uncertainty you're facing everyday. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: THANK YOU! You are helping to keep us all safe and we appreciate every you do.
Facebook Live - Rescheduled to TONIGHT Apologies to those who tuned in last night. We experienced some technical difficulties with our Facebook Live session. We have rescheduled our session to tonight to allow us time to work through those issues. We look forward to engaging with members and answering your questions during our
rescheduled Facebook Live session, this evening at 8pm. Tune in at https://www.facebook.com/wearepracticalnurses
Urgent Jobs During COVID-19 The Ontario Long Term Care Association has launched a new job matching program for nurses and other staff interested supporting residents in LTC. Paid opportunities are also available for qualified nursing students.
The Provincial Government is helping recruit health care workers through their new portal and match them with opportunities. Health Force Ontario continues to recruit health professionals.
We encourage RPNs looking for employment opportunities to sign up on all the platforms noted above.
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals Ontario released the COVID-19 action plan: long-term care homes. This plan includes adds critical new measures to prevent further outbreaks and deaths from COVID-19 in long-term care homes, including:
Aggressive Testing, Screening, and Surveillance: enhancing testing for symptomatic residents and staff and those who have been in contact with persons confirmed to have COVID-19; expanding screening to include more asymptomatic contacts of confirmed cases; and leveraging surveillance tools to enable care providers to move proactively against the disease.
Managing Outbreaks and Spread of the Disease: supporting long-term care homes with public health and infection control expertise to contain and prevent outbreaks;
providing additional training and support for current staff working in outbreak conditions.
Growing the Long-Term Care Workforce: redeploying staff from hospitals and home and community care to support the long-term care home workforce and respond to outbreaks, alongside intensive on-going recruitment initiatives.
According to their news release, within less than 48 hours, the government will immediately act to deliver:
enhanced testing and surveillance for symptomatic residents and staff and those in contact with persons confirmed to have COVID-19;
testing of asymptomatic residents and staff in select homes across the province to better understand how COVID-19 is spreading;
risk and capacity assessments for all homes;
working with Ontario Health, the Ontario Hospital Association, and public health units to assemble infection control and preventions teams and additional
supports;
enhanced guidance on personal protective equipment and continued priority distribution to homes;
enhanced training and education to support staff working in outbreak situations; and
redeploying hospital and home care resources into homes.
Yesterday, as part of the government's plan to contain COVID-19 in LTC, they issued a 14 day emergency order barring staff from working at more than one LTC facility. The order states that
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, an employee of a long-term care provider who performs work in a long-term care home operated or maintained by the long-term care provider shall not also perform work,
(a) in another long-term care home operated or maintained by the long-term care provider;
(b) as an employee of any other health service provider; or
(c) as an employee of a retirement home.
While the order is currently effective for 14 days, the government has the power to extend the order following that time.
Key Federal Updates Today the Prime Minister announced expanded access to Canada Emergency Response Benefit and support for essential workers. The government will be changing the eligibility rules to:
Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.
Justin Trudeau also annouced that his government would be working with the provinces to boost wages for essential workers who are making less than $2,500 a month.
For more information, we encourage you to visit theGovernment of Canada website.
Daily Reports As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 8,447confirmed cases, 3,902 resolved cases, 385 deaths and 4,429 currently under investigation with lab results pending.
The Ministry is now also reporting that 795 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 254 are in ICU and 188 are vented. To view these additional details: click here Click Hereto read the latest Ministry of Health Daily Report **Please note, these reports are intended for health professionals only and we request that you not share this with the public.
World Health Organization Situation Reports are also available here
In the News For an interactive map tracking all cases across Canada and internationally, click here
Below are some key stories from today that may be of interest to our members:
We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for the important work that you're doing and the sacrifices you're making to keep Ontarians safe. We appreciate everything that you're doing each and every day.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tiff Blair at tblair@werpn.com
Sincerely,
WeRPN Team
WeRPN 5025 Orbitor Drive Building 5, Suite 200 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Y5