Yesterday we released the findings from our December 2020 survey in our latest report Wellness, Workload and Wages – How RPNs are Personally Coping Amid the Pandemic . The comprehensive poll examined the impact of COVID-19 on RPNs in the province. The survey, a first of its kind in Ontario, highlighted realities for nurses both at work and at home and revealed that RPNs are facing a critical breaking point, alarming mental health tolls and financial stresses as a direct result of their job since the pandemic hit in March 2020. See more findings in our inforgraphic and read the full report
In response to the findings, we have put forward five key actions for government:
Continue the swift rollout of COVID-19 vaccines so healthcare workers and residents/patients are protected, with immediatepriority given to those who are most at risk or in high-risk settings.
Create more full-time positions
for nurses and ensure RPNs are fairly compensated for the integral work that they do.
Enhance retention of the nursing workforce by creating more opportunities for continuing education and career advancement.
Enhance mental health supports for nurses and their fellow healthcare workers, specifically, to address the significant mentaland emotional toll brought on by COVID-19, which will linger long
after the pandemic is over.
Leverage the unique experience and expertise of nurses on the front lines by ensuring that their voices are foundational to any future consultations and decision making on healthcare reform and policy in Ontario.
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
Cases and positivity are down across Public Health Units but testing volumes are also slightly down. Sustained high testing volumes will be important to control of the pandemic.
Cases are declining across long-term care homes but deaths continue to rise (215 in the last seven days).
Hospitalizations are declining but strained ICU capacity continues. Access to care deficit continues
to grow and will have short and longer-term negative impacts on health.
There has been some reduction in mobility. But essential work is still strongly associated with risk of infection.
The new variant of concern (B.1.1.7) is spreading in Ontario and is a significant threat to control of the Pandemic. However, modelling and international examples suggest that maintaining public health interventions will support continued reductions in cases, even with a return
to school.
The government also announced that elementary and secondary schools in four additional public health units (PHUs) will be permitted to return to in-person learning on February 1, 2021. This will bring the total number of students able to learn in-person
to 520,000 across the province.
The four additional PHUs are:
Eastern Ontario Health Unit
Middlesex-London Health Unit
Southwestern Public Health
Ottawa Public Health
Yesterday, the governmentannounced that Ontario is building on its “Stay Safe All Day” workplace inspection campaign, by expanding province-wide inspections to farming operations. These inspections are intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at agricultural workplaces by ensuring compliance with health and safety measures. Inspections will also help ensure greater protection for Ontario’s temporary foreign workers ahead of the upcoming
growing and harvesting season.
The government maintains it will meet its vaccination plan targets despite certain roadblocks.
The Chief Public Health Officer's statement for January 28th is available here
For more information, we encourage you to visit the Government of Canada website.
Daily Reports
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 262,463 confirmed cases (increase of 2093), 234,755 resolved cases, 6,014 deaths.
The Ministry is also reporting that 1,338 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 358 are in ICU and 276 are vented. To view these additional details:click here
Click Hereto read the latest Ministry of Health Daily Report
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
Vision74 in Sarnia is seeking 5 RPNs. They are currently in
outbreak and are looking for additional staff to support resident care. Nurses would be hired as casual due to collective agreement. Part time hours available. Wage is $23.94/hr. For more details: Contact Frank Portelli at fportelli@vision74.com or 519-336-6551 x7173
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
