Pembroke Regional Hospital distributed the following media release on Oct.5:
As part of a collaborative, county-wide effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of those requiring hospital care, the Pembroke Regional Hospital is making preparations to implement a mandatory vaccination policy on October 15th for visitors and essential caregivers / care partners which has been developed in consultation with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit and is aligned with other hospitals in the region.
“Patients and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about the vaccination status of the people around them when they come to PRH for care,” said PRH President and CEO Pierre Noel.
“There are individuals within our community who are unable to get vaccinated due to their age or because of medical conditions. We provide care to some of the most vulnerable people in the region so this is the right thing to do,” he said.
Under the new policy, all hospital visitors and essential caregivers / care partners will need to be fully vaccinated (at least 14 days since the second dose) in order to enter the hospital, unless they qualify under one of the current exceptions.
Please note that all exceptions are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on the new mandatory vaccination policy, the exceptions and the current visitor restrictions, please refer to the hospital’s visitor policy on the PRH website at www.pembrokeregionalhospital.ca.
Exceptions as at Oct.5 2021
The current exceptions are as follows:
- Individuals under the age of 12.
- Those who have a documented medical exemption.
- Those visiting patients at the end-of-life.
- Labor and Delivery (Essential caregiver can be unvaccinated. All visitors must be vaccinated.)
- Parents of children under 16 who are receiving care.
- Emergency Department (1 support person per patient.)
- Individuals who are essential to accompany patients to appointments or participate in care planning discussions.
- Other critical or urgent circumstances requiring family presence.
All visitors and essential caregivers / care partners will be asked to show proof of vaccination along with photo ID when entering the hospital, similar to what is already required to access restaurants and other venues.
Implementation of this new visitor policy follows the hospital’s decision to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all members of its health care team and anyone working on site, a new policy that also takes effect October 15th.
Mandatory vaccination policy does not apply to patients
The Pembroke Regional Hospital is reassuring residents that the mandatory vaccination policies do not apply to patients.
“While vaccination is encouraged, regardless of whether our patients have chosen to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or not, all who come for care at our hospital will receive the services they require in a compassionate and safe environment,” Mr. Noel said.
He added that patients can anticipate being asked about their vaccination status, however their response will not impact their care.
:evesque,C.,Pembroke Regional Hospital(2021,Oct.5) Pembroke Regional Hospital Shares List Of Current Exceptions As Part Of NewMandatory Vaccination Policy For PRH Visitors, Essential Caregivers and Care Partners [media release]
