Some Staff Receiving Termination Letters As Hôtel Dieu Grace Vaccination Policy Takes Effect

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Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is issuing termination letters to several employees who did not comply with the hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

The policy required employees and physicians to receive their first dose of the vaccination by September 22nd. At that time 30 employees were given a two-week period to receive their first dose with the opportunity to discuss or address questions and concerns with hospital leadership.

The hospital says now that the two-week period has passed, those employees not in compliance with the policy will be issued termination letters. They say professional staff (physicians) not in compliance with the policy are no longer exercising their privileges on the hospital’s campus. Officials say given that professional staff are not employed by the hospital, this is now a governance matter being dealt with directly by the Board of Directors.

The hospital says 98 per cent of their employees and 98 percent of professional staff have complied with the policy. They say 24 employees have not complied with the policy, 19 are considered clinical employees and 5 are considered non-clinical, and 2 professional staff have not complied with the policy. The hospital says 5 employees that have been exempt from the policy based on medical or human rights requirements and are required to participate in frequent testing.

“Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare will always be committed to the healthcare needs of our community,” says Janice Kaffer, HDGH President and CEO. “Our patients and their loved ones expect us to do everything we can to keep them safe and restore their quality of life.”

The hospital says they will now be actively recruiting for all vacancies.

The hospital says they will soon require proof of vaccination for all visitors and designated care partners and more details are expected soon.