Kitchener Hospitals Will Require Visiting Caregivers To Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 | The Canadian News

On Tuesday, Kitchener’s two major hospitals announced impending requirements for caregivers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Both St. Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital say they are opening the door to more visitors for patients in the future, but those visitors will need to be fully vaccinated.

Hospitals say the move was taken to protect both staff and patients from the virus.

“Mandatory in-hospital vaccinations provide one more layer of protection for everyone so that care partners, physicians, staff and volunteers can work together to safely support the patient,” said Lee Fairclough, President of General Hospital. St. Mary.

“Through the enhanced protection that this additional measure will provide, St. Mary’s will be able to welcome more Care Partners to the hospital, which is very positive for the overall well-being of our patients.”

Bonnie Camm, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services at Grand River Hospital, stated, “Care partners are an integral part of a patient’s journey.”

“We want to enable that level of support, while making sure to incorporate this additional measure to protect the health and well-being of patients, staff and our community.”

Hospitals say the new protocol will go into effect on November 9 and will not be implemented for patients.

Grand River Hospital staff will begin checking immunization status on Friday, but all caregivers will be allowed into hospitals until the new rule takes effect.

Until the new rule takes effect, caregivers will be able to visit regardless of their immunization status.

SMGH says they are only opening the doors to caregivers at this time as no visitors will be allowed yet. These are people who are considered essential to the well-being of a patient.

For those unable to visit, virtual tours will continue to be an option.

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