Our colleagues at Ryerson University are conducting a study to explore healthcare providers’ experiences of relational caring for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the pandemic on the healthcare providers’ mental health and wellbeing. They are interested in RPN perspectives. Please click here to learn more and consider participating.
Don't forget to register for our AGM taking place on October 29th, from 6:00PM-9:30PM. This event will feature keynote
addresses from Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser and motivator Orlando Bowen. Learn more.
Eligible members (RPN-members) are also encouraged to take part in our online voting for the AGM to have their voices heard on association matters, including our Board election. Click here to cast you vote until October 26th.
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals Today, the goverment introduced a package of legislative and policy measures that would, if passed, accelerate the building of key infrastructure projects to create jobs and lay the foundation for a strong economic recovery.
Yesterday, Premier Ford and Minister Elliott announced targeted investments totalling $24.3 million for community-based mental health supports and services for children and youth. This
announcement acknowledges the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental wellbeing of Ontarians, particularly for children and youth experiencing isolation.
The investment will be broken down as follows:
$11 million for over 80 children and youth mental health service providers to enhance capacity and access to frontline child and youth mental health services;
$5.8 million for youth wellness teams at 10 Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario, which offer walk-in access to primary care and mental health and addictions services for people between the ages of 12 and 25;
$3.7 million for a new eating disorders program to help prevent eating disorders and support children and youth that may be struggling with an eating disorder;
$2 million for the implementation of an Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program for families, children and youth;
$1 million for child and youth mental health services delivered in congregate settings;
$800,000 to support the creation and operation of Eating Disorders Ontario, to help quality improvement across the eating disorders sector.
Yesterday, the Ontario government introduced the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act. If passed, this legislation would provide liability protection for workers, volunteers and organizations “that make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws relating to exposure to COVID-19.” The Act is intended to provide targeted liability protection in
order to ensure that Ontarians who are “contributing to provincial recovery” are not “discouraged from making a difference in their communities” out of fear of civil liability resulting from inadvertently exposing someone to COVID-19. This includes protecting health care workers.
The Federal Goverment has said that the first shipment of 100 000 rapid tests for COVID-19 has arrived in Canada. Another 2.4 million are expected before the end of December and the rest of the 7.9 million tests are expected in the new year.
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer noted that guidance on COVID-19 is changing in response to growing scientific understanding.
For more information, we encourage you to visit the
Government of Canada website.
Daily
Reports
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 67,527 confirmed cases (increase of 841), 58,066 resolved cases, 3,071 deaths and 34,784 currently under investigation with lab results pending.
The Ministry is also reporting that 270 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 74 are in ICU and 48 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 encourage RPNs looking for employment opportunities to sign up on all the platforms noted above.
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
