Ford: Hospitals have flexibility to implement own vaccine mandate
Premier Doug Ford is standing his ground when it comes to his government’s decision to not enact a province-wide vaccination policy for hospitals.
The premier was asked about the controversial decision on Wednesday, saying hospitals in the province have the flexibility to put their own mandate in.
“That’s going to be up to the hospitals to decide,” said Ford. “But we want to make sure that they can keep up with the capacity of backlogged surgeries.”
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Last week, the premier suggested tens of thousands of hospital workers would be off the job if they were forced to get vaccinated. Later that same day Health Minister Christine Elliott said Ford’s numbers were based on old data.
Ford did not provide any updated numbers on Wednesday but said that hospitals in the province, especially hospitals in rural areas, could not handle any loss of staff with people “lining up for backlogged surgeries.”
“It might be easier to fill positions in downtown Toronto than it is up in Timmins, or any rural hospital,” said Ford.
RELATED: Toronto ICU doctor calls on Ford to reverse ‘bad decision’ on vaccine mandate for hospital workers
Last week’s decision to not mandate vaccines for hospitals goes against a recommendation from Ontario’s science table which called for the mandate in order to enhance safety, reduce the risk of staffing disruptions, and protect people working to treat others.
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In a letter published to Ford, the science group said requiring hospital workers to be vaccinated is an evidence-based policy that protects Ontarians.
The decision has attracted criticism from numerous health experts and public officials.
Dr. Michael Warner, the director of critical care at Michael Garron Hospital, called it “a bad decision.”
“If you work in healthcare, you need to be vaccinated. Full stop,” said Warner. “It’s the best way to protect yourself, your colleagues and your patients and the premier should stand behind this.”
The premier made Wednesday’s comments in Caledon, where he was announcing the province will move forward with plans for the new Highway 413 that will connect Halton, Peel and York regions.
