Orangeville, Ont. (June 19, 2023) – Effective today, patients, families, visitors and staff will begin to see more smiling faces in our hospital, as Headwaters eases its masking requirements where masking is encouraged but not mandatory. This mask-friendly change is due to a significant decrease in COVID-19 admissions, low mortality, and significant interest from our Patient and Family Advisory Partnership regarding lifting mask requirements.
“Protecting the safety of everyone at Headwaters is our priority,” said Kim Delahunt, President & CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre. “We are pleased to be shifting to a mask-friendly environment as pandemic measures continue to wind down.”
What you can expect when visiting Headwaters
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Headwaters will return to pre-pandemic routine practices with the continued support of a Point of Care Risk Assessment (PCRA), a decision-making tool widely used in healthcare to determine when personal protective equipment is required.
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Patients may request that staff, physicians, and volunteers wear a mask while receiving care.
What remains the same
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Everyone entering the hospital is required to self-screen at hospital entrances. Please do not enter if you are unwell or have any illness symptoms.
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To reduce the spread of infection, patients with any respiratory illness symptoms are required to wear a mask while moving throughout the hospital and outside their patient room.
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Hospital patients coming for surgery will continue to complete pre-operative COVID-19 testing only if they are symptomatic at the hospital and will be provided with instructions by their Surgeon's Office.
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Designated care partner and visitor policy
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Headwaters will support anyone who chooses to wear a mask at any time or point in the hospital, and masks will continue to be provided at hospital entrances and elsewhere in the facility.
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Staff, caregivers and visitors will continue to have access to all PPE when required.
Headwaters thanks the community for its vigilance and compassion during the pandemic, as well as the ongoing support for one another. As required, Headwaters will monitor the situation closely and make adjustments to safety practices based on the best available evidence and guidance.
Learn more on our website headwatershealth.ca
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About Headwaters Health Care Centre
Headwaters Health Care Centre is an innovative hospital located in Orangeville, Ontario dedicated to quality patient-centred care together with our community in Dufferin County-Caledon. In addition to providing acute and complex continuing care with a 24/7 Emergency Department, and extensive Ambulatory Care outpatient services, Headwaters is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, certified as a Breast Assessment Centre by the Ontario Breast Screening Program, and will be offering MRI services in the near future. Headwaters is also a proud partner in the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team. Learn more at headwatershealth.ca and support the hospital at hhccfoundation.com
Media contact
Jennifer Hamilton
Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Headwaters Health Care Centre
519.278.5085