A message to the Community from Eric Vandewall, President & CEO September 2, 2022

Over the past two-and-a-half years, we have made significant progress in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our community and we are tremendously proud of what we have accomplished together.

Our healthcare system continues to feel the impact of the pandemic. While our staff and physicians keep working hard to meet the growing and complex health care needs of our community, we are under strain. The pressures Joseph Brant Hospital is experiencing are not unique to us; hospitals across Ontario are facing challenges with wait times, bed capacity, and a nationwide shortage of healthcare providers.

Our current situation:

• Average acute occupancy in August was 102%
• As of August 30, 25 healthcare workers were off work due to COVID-19
• Approximately 2,193 people are waiting for surgery at JBH

There are actions we can take to ensure our own health and well-being and to support our JBH teams.

Kindness matters. Please take the time to thank a physician, nurse, or health care worker who you may know, let them know how much they are appreciated and valued.

Review your health care options. If you are feeling unwell, please consider your healthcare options before visiting our Emergency Department. Our ED remains open to the community.

Know your eligibility for vaccinations. Every vaccination matters in reducing the risk of transmission and hospitalization. To determine your eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine or seasonal flu shot, please visit Halton Public Health website.

Join our team. Every staff member and physician makes a unique and vital contribution toJBH. We are actively recruiting for a number of exciting positions in clinical and non-clinical areas. If you would like to join our outstanding and dedicated team – or know someone who is – we encourage you to visit JBH’s Careers webpage for more information and follow us on social media.

Be a Volunteer. JBH volunteers play an important role in providing support to patients and their loved ones. We are looking for new volunteers, particularly those who are available during the day on weekdays. Learn more about becoming a JBH Volunteer.

We know that this had been a challenging time for everyone. I would like to express my gratitude to our team of staff, physicians and volunteers who continue to provide exemplary, compassionate care. I would also like to thank you, our community, for your unwavering support.

Eric Vandewall

President & CEO

Joseph Brant Hospital