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Headwaters Health Care Centre removes mandatory mask policy, still encourages use

June 22, 2023   ·   0 Comments

Patients, families, visitors and staff will begin to see more smiling faces in Headwaters Hospital as it dropped its mandatory masking requirements on June 19. 

Masking is still encouraged but no longer required to enter the hospital. 

“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,” said Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) in a press release.

Patients can request staff, physicians, and volunteers wear masks while receiving care.

“Protecting the safety of everyone at Headwaters is our priority,” said Kim Delahunt, President and CEO of Headwaters Health Care Centre. “We are pleased to be shifting to a mask-friendly environment as pandemic measures continue to wind down.” 

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. 

Everyone entering the hospital is required to self-screen at hospital entrances. 

Headwaters asks the public not to enter the hospital if they are unwell or have any illness symptoms. 

To reduce the spread of infection, patients with any respiratory illness symptoms must wear a mask while moving throughout the hospital and outside their patient room.

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. 

“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,” said HHCC in a press release. “Staff, caregivers and visitors will continue to have access to all PPE when required.

Headwaters says it will monitor the situation closely and make adjustments to safety practices based on the best available evidence and guidance.   

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