Timmins hospital employees pitch in to fill staffing gaps created by COVID-19
In the midst of the wave of Omicron cases, the Timmins and District Hospital said it's experiencing a shortage of critical workers. That has meant employees from other departments have stepped up to help fill any gaps.
The hospital said Thursday it's taking care of 24 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. It's also dealing with a shortage of workers who've been affected by the virus one way or another.
The hospital's foundation team said it offered to grab a few brooms and get busy. Jason Laneville, the foundation's executive director, and his staff have been keeping the floors clean along the main promenade from front to back.
"Our team’s not afraid of work," said Laneville. "By putting in a few extra hours on the main floor helping clean the main floor, if that frees up a couple of environmental services workers to work upstairs on the medical floor, so be it. I mean we’re happy to help."
And he said his team isn't the only one pitching in.
"The ladies in the fracture clinic were working in the laundry, helping fold some clothes and towels etcetera," Laneville said.
"We’re getting a lot of positive feedback. Listen, we’re not doing it for the kudos. We’re just doing it to help out."
The positive attitude is impressing the hospital's president and chief executive officer.
"We need to stick together and support each other. We’re strong northerners so we’re innovative and you know we’re caring and compassionate people so it’s all hands on deck," said Kate Fyfe.
Fyfe said the hospital has put out a contract for more workers to help with cleaning and also has a plan in place to provide other supplemental staffing when necessary.
In the meantime, Lanevillle said if the foundation's actions inspire others to help in different areas than where they work, that will only help people get through the pandemic in a more positive way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
Jury selection could be nearing a close in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York
Lawyers worked Friday to round out the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates who will hear Donald Trump's hush money trial, as the former president railed against a gag order that has prosecutors seeking to hold him in contempt of court.