Mandatory mask requirements in patient areas effective immediately at Headwaters Health Care Centre

Orangeville, Ont. (November 6, 2024) – To help keep everyone safe at Headwaters Health Care Centre during a complex respiratory season of RSV, COVID-19, flu and seasonal viruses, masking is now required in patient-facing areas. 

Throughout the rest of the hospital, Headwaters remains a mask-friendly environment where masks are encouraged but optional.  

“Headwaters is taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff as we enter another respiratory season. Wearing a mask in patient-facing areas is an effective way to stop the spread of infection,” says Kim Delahunt, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre. 

What’s changed

•    Masking is mandatory in all patient-facing clinical areas and waiting rooms, such as the Emergency Department, nursing stations, waiting rooms and patient rooms.
•    Visitors must wear a mask when visiting patients and in patient care areas.  
•    Patients and visitors with respiratory illness symptoms must wear a mask while moving throughout the hospital and outside their patient room.  

What remains the same

•    Mask-friendly environment: Masking is not mandatory but encouraged in non-clinical and non-patient facing areas, such as hallways, the cafeteria, and the Joan and Paul Waetcher Welcome Centre.  
•    There are no changes to Headwaters’ current visitor policy. Visitors who may have symptoms or are ill should stay home until they are well. This will help prevent the spread of illness. 
•    Masks will continue to be available at all hospital entrances and outside inpatient units. Staff, caregivers and visitors will continue to have access to personal protective equipment, when required. 
•    Patients coming to the hospital for surgery will continue to follow their physician’s direction with regards to pre-operative COVID-19 testing, based on symptoms.   
•    For vaccine clinics during the 2024 respiratory season, book an appointment through Wellington-Guelph Public Health or Peel Public Health.

Headwaters will continue to monitor the respiratory season developments closely and adjust safety practices based on the best available evidence and guidance.  

Learn more on our website headwatershealth.ca

  
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 spring of 2025. Headwaters is a cornerstone of health and wellness for the communities it serves. It is one of the area's largest employers with over 800 staff, 200 physicians and six midwives and benefits from the dedication of over 200 volunteers. 
 
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 

Valerie Lam-Bentley
Communications Specialist
Headwaters Health Care Centre
vlambentley@headwatershealth.ca
(519) 941-2410 ext. 2248