Volunteer Staff from Joseph Brant Hospital Supporting Long-Term Care

Expanding care during the COVID-19 pandemic

This week, volunteer staff members at Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) are being redeployed to local long-term care homes to provide much-needed support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Five volunteer nurses will be working in partnership with Halton paramedics to assist in two long-term care homes (LTC) in Burlington. The first of two teams comprising two Registered Nurses and two Registered Practical Nurses was redeployed today, with a second team to be redeployed on Thursday.

Together, they will provide COVID-19 testing in Brant Centre and Creekway Village LTC homes. The hospital is also supporting infection prevention and control education at Wellington Park LTC. Any additional support will be determined based on the needs of LTC homes and other congregate settings in the region.

In April, the provincial government directed Ontario hospitals to prepare to temporarily reassign frontline staff to halt the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes and other congregate settings. Joseph Brant Hospital has been working closely with Ontario Health Central and regional partners, including public health, Halton paramedics and long-term care homes, to identify what help is most needed and to mobilize health human resources and other supports towards these efforts.

This week’s redeployment is part of the hospital’s evolving response to heightened care needs during the pandemic, working in collaboration with community-based health care providers, the City of Burlington, Halton Region, and provincial and federal governments. JBH remains committed to strengthening relationships across the health-care sector to enhance Ontario’s action plan to address emerging health care challenges in these unprecedented times.

“On behalf of Joseph Brant Hospital, I would like to thank all our staff volunteers who answered the call to support vulnerable residents in our community. Our nurses have already done so much during this pandemic, and we are very grateful to them for volunteering to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes and other congregate settings in Burlington.”

Eric Vandewall – President & CEO, Joseph Brant Hospital

“In my mind, there is no greater gift than lending one’s skill, knowledge, and talents toward the betterment of another person or group. The nurses who have volunteered to support long-term care homes during this pandemic demonstrate the calibre of all our health care workers here at Joseph Brant Hospital, and our collective determination to do everything we can to help those most impacted by this pandemic.”

Melanie Potvin – Interim Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) and Director of Emergency, Medicine & Integrated Care, Joseph Brant Hospital

“Our community asked for help and as a Nurse and resident of this community, I wanted to help however I could. It was as simple as that for me.”

Jasmine Ritchat – JBH Registered Nurse and long-term care home support volunteer

“I volunteered to deploy to long-term care as I feel it's important to support our health system partners, with our knowledge, skills and resources. Long-term care has been hit hard and needs all the help they can get. I am more than happy to be involved in this.”

Jacqui Curtis – JBH Registered Practical Nurse and long-term care home support volunteer

“Frontline staff in Burlington have demonstrated their commitment to our community through their hard work and perseverance in recent months. Thank you to the nurses and staff at Joseph Brant Hospital for their willingness to serve our community no matter the location to help the people of Burlington stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Hon. Karina Gould – Member of Parliament for Burlington

“The only way we’ll all get through this COVID-19 pandemic is through teamwork. We’re all working together to help those who are the most vulnerable and in need across our health care team. I’m proud of the staff at Joseph Brant Hospital and the work they’re doing to support our community.”

Marianne Meed Ward – Mayor of Burlington