The CEO of Thunder Bay’s Regional Health Sciences Centre has penned an open letter to the Premier of Ontario.
The letter asks Doug Ford to expand his government’s pandemic pay for health care workers who are fighting on the frontlines of the virus.
CEO Jean Bartkowiak says he applauds the province’s decision to provide pandemic pay and calls it the right thing to do, but he has concerns because some hospital staff didn’t receive it under the current provincial program.
Bartowiak says, “staff categories outside of those identified to receive Pandemic Pay have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep Ontarians safe during this pandemic.”
“Many health care employees work side-by-side with each other and are exposed to the same risks on a daily basis. The exclusion of certain groups from this well-intentioned recognition has generated divisiveness and disengagement within our Hospital and community at a time when unity is needed more than ever before,” Bartowiak said.
The hospital CEO asks Premier Ford to reconsider the implementation of Pandemic Pay to ensure all health care workers, with the exclusion of Chief Executive Officers, are included.
It’s been widely reported some of the health care workers in the province that don’t receive pandemic pay include those who work in radiology.
