Dear members and friends in BC’s seniors care sector:
I am writing to update you on the work we have been doing on behalf of seniors care providers, which includes their staff, residents and their family members. To say the world has been knocked a little off its axis in the past few weeks would be an understatement. The COVID-19 novel coronavirus has hit many parts of the globe very hard, including just south of the U.S. border in Washington state.
Since the weekend our organization has been in constant communication with the Ministry of Health upon the news of a COVID-19 outbreak in a member site, Lynn Valley Care Centre. Good communication is an absolute must during these critical times, which is why we reached out to our fellow industry associations to invite them to form a COVID-19 working group. BCCPA, along with SafeCare BC, Denominational Health Association and BC Seniors Living Association, are conducting a daily call with an Assistant Deputy Minister from the Ministry of Health.
These calls have taken place over the past few days, and I am confident that the issues and information shared to us by our members will be listened to by the Health Ministry.
This past Monday we established a new BCCPA COVID-19 Response page, which we are updating on a daily basis. I invite you to visit this link to see the page. I also invite you to reach out to us for communications support in the event of an outbreak, as our staff can provide resources and support.
The page has a form where you can submit your comments, questions or even rumours relating to COVID-19 in the seniors care setting. It is important that we not only understand what is happening, but work to dispel misinformation too. Any new correspondence submitted through the form may be tabled for discussion by the working group.
In addition to the ongoing communication with the sector, BCCPA is also responding to multiple media requests. It is vitally important that the public, and in particular family members, have a clear understanding of what steps are being taken to protect seniors and care staff during the outbreak. See links to these reports below.
- Coronavirus is already taking a toll on Canada’s front-line health-care workers| Maclean’s (March 10)
- COVID-19 and care homes: The fight to protect vulnerable residents from the coronavirus| CTV News (March 10)
- C. seniors’ care homes form virus-response group| The Globe and Mail (March 9)
- COVID-19: Outbreak at senior care home in North Vancouver, six new cases in B.C.| Vancouver Sun (March 6)
- Increased challenges for caregivers amidst COVID-19 outbreak| Global News
We can see that the situation is moving rapidly, and we must all pay close attention to the communication coming out of the BC Centre for Disease Control relating to the coronavirus.
BCCPA will closely monitor the situation, and will provide regular updates. If you have any questions or urgent concerns regarding COVID-19, please send us a message using the web form.
Sincere regards.
Daniel Fontaine
CEO, BC Care Providers Association & EngAge BC
