The Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH) is going to be hiring personal support workers to help with the COVID-19 pandemic response and is currently working on a field hospital to be used in case of a surge.
“Personal Support Worker will be a new role for CGMH and will be used on a temporary basis to assist during the pandemic,” said hospital CEO and president Norah Holder said today in a video update to the media. “There is no intent to recruit PSWs from local system partners.”
Holder is also encouraging students in post-secondary health programs to apply for a position on the hospitals COVID-19 response team. Applications can be submitted online.
The hospital is also “actively” working on an off-site facility they’re calling an interim alternative health facility that could accommodate patients in the event the hospital experiences a surge that “outstrips the internal patient capacity.”
It’s not clear what patients would be cared for at the field hospital, located at the Collingwood Legion.
“We’re planning for a number of potential patient populations that could be located at the alternative health facility,” said Holder. “As the situation continues to change rapidly, we expect the patient population to be cared for will depend on the ever-changing state of COVID-19.”
The hospital is also undertaking renovations, which Holder said were nearly complete, to open two more intensive care unit beds.
Currently, the hospital is operating at 65 per cent capacity. Testing is being done at an assessment centre operated by the Georgian Bay Family Health Team at the medical centre on Erie Street. According to Holder, the testing centre has completed more than 500 tests since it opened March 31.
Holder said the hospital’s emergency department remains open and is safe for patients who need emergency medical attention.
“The CGMH emergency department is open for emergencies,” said Holder, adding there is a focus on using proper personal protective equipment and enhanced cleaning.
