Eastern Townships health authority cutting services despite vaccine mandate extension
CBC
The health authority in Quebec's Eastern Townships expects it will still be short at least 1,700 staff members once the province's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for health-care workers kicks in next month.
The health authority had about 1,000 vacant positions to fill before the vaccine mandate was announced. Another approximately 1,000 health care workers have yet to get their vaccines.
Yann Belzile, human resources director at the CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, expects that about a third of the unvaccinated staff might get their shots before the new deadline.
He told reporters Friday that he didn't think the government's one-month extension would be sufficient to motivate the remaining two-thirds to get immunized.
"You see it very well, there will once again be a very important staffing shortage issue," he said.
As a result, the health authority is already starting to shut down some of its services immediately.
Obstetrics services at the hospital in Lac-Mégantic will be closed on weekends, with the exception of emergencies. Expecting parents there will have to drive 90 minutes to Sherbrooke or even longer to the Chaudière-Appalaches region to give birth during those days.
Math is not Berry Genge's strongest subject, but she credits her desire to solve problems and her interest in how things work for making her want to study engineering. The fourth-year UPEI student was one of 10 chosen in Canada this spring to become 3M National Student Fellows. The honour, administered by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), recognizes students who demonstrate leadership qualities both on and off campus.