Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Covenant Health (CH), the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) and United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) have reached agreement on an updated joint statement on the safe and effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers and unions share the common goal of protecting the health and safety of health-care workers. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, PPE has been a key factor in protecting the health and safety of health-care workers by helping to prevent exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 as they provide high-quality care to Albertans.
The updated joint agreement provides further clarity and empowers health-care workers to make decisions on the appropriate PPE based on risk assessments. This means all health-care workers will have access to N95 respirator or equivalents, if they determine it is required based on their assessment. As partners in the response to COVID-19, we trust our front line health-care teams to make appropriate decisions that support their physical and mental health.
All parties are committed to continuing to work together to address issues and solve problems as they arise.
We remain grateful for the dedication and commitment of all health-care teams during this challenging time.
For Media Inquiries:
Kerry Williamson, Communications, AHS, 780-905-5890
To speak to AUPE Vice-President Bonnie Gostola, please contact Alexander Delorme, Communications Officer, 780-264-9274
Leah Janzen, Director of Communications, Covenant Health, 780-717-0454
To speak to HSAA President Mike Parker, please contact Kirk Heuser, Communications Officer, 780-690-8199
Heather Smith, President, UNA, 780-940-9974
