LTC Bargaining

1        INTRODUCTION

The goal of COVID-19 Management in the Disability Support Program is to, as much as possible, prevent the introduction of the virus into the home and/or prevent transmission to participants and staff within the home.

All residential service providers must follow the orders and directives made by the Chief Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection Act (HPA) (see link in Section 6). We are also recommending compliance with the guidelines contained in this document.

These guidelines are based on the latest available scientific evidence about this emerging disease and may change as new information becomes available. The Public Health Agency of Canada will be posting regular updates and related documents at https://www.phac- aspc.gc.ca/.

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PHOTO : www.griswoldhomecare.com

Dozens of staff and residents at least seven long-term care facilities have tested positive for the disease.

APRIL 14, 2020 BY JENNIFER HENDERSON, The Halifax Examiner

Over the Easter weekend, 16 residents and 10 employees at the Northwood long-term-care complex in Halifax tested positive for COVID-19.

The nursing home’s website says all 26 — plus four more staff who provide homecare services — have exhibited mild to moderate symptoms. Medical staff have isolated and are caring for the infected residents on a separate floor of Northwood Manor. Dr Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province, expressed, “concern for the people,” but said “I am confident everything that can be done is being done.”

Northwood Inc., with 485 residents, has emerged as a hotspot for the virus. COVID-19 has also infected residents and staff in at least seven other long-term care facilities, including R.K.MacDonald in Antigonish, the Northside Community Guest Home in North Sydney, Shannex’s Arborstone facility in Halifax and its Lewis Hall and Harris Hall in Dartmouth, Ocean View Manor in Eastern Passage, and Magnolia Manor in Enfield.

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The goal of COVID-19 Management in Long-term Care Facilities (LTCF) is to, as much as possible, prevent the introduction of the virus into facility and/or prevent transmission to residents and staff within the facility.

All health care workers must follow the Public Health Order issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), dated March 24, 2020, and any direction arising from that Order and directives given under the authority of the Health Protection Act (HPA).

ACCESS DOCUMENT HERE

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.

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Can I use my right to refuse for COVID-19?
Employees have a right to refuse unsafe work when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the work, tool, or equipment is dangerous to you or another person’s health and safety. Many situations could create a dangerous condition in your workplace and COVID-19 is no exception. For most workers, especially those in a health care workplace, the presence of a communicable disease isn’t automatically dangerous, as long as you have the training and appropriate resources, including personal protective equipment (PPE) to do the work safely.

When do I need to use Personal Protective Equipment?
Working with residents or patients who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 is hazardous work, and PPE is an important tool that allows your work to be performed safely. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets so the PPE for those providing care would include a mask to cover your mouth, goggles or a face shield to cover your eyes, a gown to cover your clothing, and gloves to protect your hands. Lacking any of these resources would make the work more hazardous and could lead to a dangerous situation.

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CUPE Nova Scotia and the Long Term Care Coordinating Committee want to do our part in supporting social distancing.

As a result, we have decided to post pone our Convention & Conference this coming May.
Stay tuned for dates in the fall!

Our heartfelt thanks to CUPE members showing up to work everyday on the frontline, working to keep us safe during this global pandemic.

Additionally, in order to create space for a fall convention, it has been decided to cancel the All-Committees Conference scheduled for this coming October.

In Socially Distant Solidarity,
CUPE Nova Scotia Executive & the Long Term Care Coordinating Committee 

What is your situation? 

I am an employee with COVID-19 and/or in isolation: 

• Your employer may have a short-term disability or sick leave program that you need to apply for before applying for EI Sickness Benefits. Check your collective agreement or contact your CUPE local.
• If you have worked more than 600 hours in the past year or since your last EI claim, you qualify for EI sickness benefits. For more information on EI Sickness Benefits, check out the section on EI below.
• If you have not worked more than 600 hours in the past year or since your last EI claim, the federal government is providing an Emergency Care Benefit, which will provide benefits comparable to EI for up to 15 weeks. More details will be forthcoming from the Federal government.
• Your job will be protected during this leave of absence by federal and provincial legislation.

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