HALIFAX – CUPE welcomes the news of the $2,000 premium being offered to health care workers in Nova Scotia, but is, however, extremely disappointed that the facilities funded by the Department of Community Services (DCS) are excluded from the premium. The offer leaves out essential frontline staff who work at residential facilities.
PARTICIPANTS REQUESTED : Healthcare Video
Attached correspondence from Dept of Health :
From: Smith, Alexandra
Subject: Healthcare Video document-PARTICIPANT REQUEST
Date: April 10, 20
Good morning:
Earlier this week many of you indicated a willingness to ask your members to participate in video messages campaigns from health care workers to thank Nova Scotians for staying home. We appreciate you sharing this request with your members.
Communications Nova Scotia is collecting photos and video messages from individuals and groups in all corners of our health care system. The idea is for them to thank Nova Scotians for continuing to follow public health directions, and to remind everyone to keep it going. We will edit a selection of them into a video for circulating via social media.
We’re asking for short (ie 5-7 second) “Thank you!” videos and photos. We have an attached sign that you can print and use if you wish. Homemade signs reinforcing social distancing, staying home, and hand washing are also welcome.
CONTINUING CARE INFORMATION RELEASE – New Protocol for Masking in Long Term Care
CONTINUING CARE INFORMATION RELEASE
TO: Long Term Care Facilities
CC: Susan Stevens, Senior Director, Nova Scotia Health Authority Paula Langille, Director, Continuing Care, DHW
DATE: April 11, 2020
FROM:
Mary Lee, Health Association of Nova Scotia (HANS)
Vicki Elliott-Lopez, Senior Executive Director, Continuing Care, DHW
New Protocol for Masking in Long Term Care
The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is implementing a new protocol around masking of health care workers (HCW) in DHW-licensed long-term care during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Specifically, any staff working in or moving through resident care areas will be asked to wear a procedure mask throughout their entire shift. One (1) procedure mask per shift should be provided by facilities. An additional mask should be available if required due to soiling. Please note that paper bags (such as brown paper lunch bags) should also be available to staff for storage of masks during breaks, etc.
Facilities are expected to continue with standard processes for securing PPE supplies, conserve supplies as appropriate and have a mechanism in place to track your products. When necessary, DHW will supply procedure masks through the urgent request process established through HANS.
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