June 26, 2020
Dear Health & Transition Services Families,
As COVID-19 numbers continue to remain low in Manitoba, Manitoba Shared Health is recommending a shift from in-person to self-screening and self-declaration for staff at all facilities in healthcare, including Long Term Care.
This change supports a continued focus on safety in a sustainable way, while allowing our staff to do what they do best- care for the people we support and develop meaningful activities for your loved one.
Visitors and any other essential workers who are not St.Amant staff will continue to be screened in-person.
While the process will look different for staff, screening is still in place. Safety protocols, guidelines, and regulations will continue to be followed. There will be new systems and checks to ensure everyone entering the building is symptom-free.
We will be dedicating resources to ensure all staff are educated and familiar with this new screening process and will continue to emphasize the ongoing need for vigilance and compliance. The transition to this new self-screening process will begin on June 29, and a mixed model of in-person and self-screening will continue until we are confident that our new system is running smoothly.
Though this is a change in the way we’re entering the building, the health of your loved ones, and our staff, still remains our top priority.
We will continue to update you with any new information as we have it.
Community Programs
As mentioned last week, Community Programs are continuing to plan to resume services at 440 River Road. These programs are able to operate through separate entrances ensuring that the staff and participants remain separated from those supported by Health and Transition Services. Each program will follow its own screening guidelines, as directed by Manitoba Shared Health. We are still working closely with these programs as well as the Province’s Long Term Care Program to ensure a smooth and safe transition for everyone working and attending programming at 440 River Road.
We are very grateful for your ongoing support, patience, and flexibility as we continue to walk through these changes together.
Sincerely,
Sarah Mankelow
Director, Health & Transitions Services