Alberta plans to end single-site order for continuing-care workers next month

The Alberta government plans to rescind a public health order barring health-care workers from working at more than one continuing-care facility by mid-February — if not sooner.

Last fall, the province consulted with various unions and "other staff and employer representatives" about allowing health-care workers to work at more than one site, a spokesperson for the health ministry told CBC News in an email.

The single-site order is expected to be rescinded Feb. 16, the spokesperson said. Although continuing-care facility operators are signalling they need the order repealed before then, to increase staffing to care for vulnerable residents.

"Any decision will balance the lower risk to residents in the current wave, with the pressure on the workforce and the need to continue to provide care," the spokesperson said.

In the spring of 2020, the Alberta government instituted a restriction that prevented health-care workers from working at more than one long-term care home or designated supported-living facility. This was implemented province-wide by mid-October 2020.

The rule ensured that, should an employee contract the novel coronavirus at one facility, they would not carry it to another. Thus any ensuing COVID-19 outbreak would be limited to the one facility.

Several provinces — namely British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba — lifted similar restrictions for health-care workers who are fully vaccinated last year.

Last month, Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping signed a provincial order that would start that process here.

On Dec. 9, 2021, operators communicated with staff who are on single-site leave of absence, asking them to advise whether they wish to return to their previous positions or casual status, according to a provincial government document.

Operators will share the new schedules with their staff in the last week of January. Then, on Feb. 16, continuing-care staff throughout Alberta are free to work at multiple facilities, the document says.

The restriction will be lifted as the Omicron variant continues to spread quickly. Health-care facilities are strained from the lack of human resources, as employees either recover from COVID-19 or self-isolate.

"This should have been, from our perspective, lifted months ago," said Mike Conroy, president and CEO of the Brenda Strafford Foundation, a seniors' care charity that runs five continuing-care facilities in Alberta.

The foundation proactively overstaffed its facilities, but is now doing what it can to fill absences, he said.

About five to 10 per cent of staff are absent at any given time, Conroy said. About 85 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far in the fifth wave. The foundation has about 1,200 employees.