The Horizon Health Network says 900 retirees and students have reached out asking how they can help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maura McKinnon, chief human resource officer, said they were overwhelmed and humbled by the response.
“We actually issued offer letters to 100 people on Friday, so we will be having 100 individuals who will be coming back, either retirees or students who have previously worked with Horizon,” said McKinnon during a news conference Monday.
“Horizon staff have been actively preparing for the arrival of COVID-19 and have the tools and skills in place to respond. … Our communities should feel confident knowing our staff have the skills and the knowledge to provide the best possible care to those in need.”
McKinnon said staff within the health network are also being moved around to help with the COVID-19 response.
She said more than 130 staff from throughout the health authority have already been deployed to new roles.
“Such as setting up COVID-19 assessment centres, reviewing non-urgent and elective surgeries, and staffing visitor and employee screening stations,” said McKinnon.
McKinnon said screening stations have been set up at each of the province’s hospitals and have to be staffed around the clock, which takes quite a few staff.
“When employees come into work, we have designated entrances that all employees come in through and every employee goes through a screening process before entering into a building,” she said.
McKinnon said they have not ruled out redeploying people from other government departments to help if needed.
Assessment centres have been set up throughout the province to screen and test for COVID-19 by appointment.
“They have been successful in appropriately and safely managing assessments outside of the hospital, helping to reduce the volume of patients coming into the emergency departments,” said McKinnon.
When asked by reporters, McKinnon declined to say if any Horizon staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
