Vol. 105 No. 48
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014
Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
24 pages
Phone: 306-948-3344
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Public expected to ‘Immunize or Mask’ in regional healthcare facilities effective December 1 Starting December 1, 2014 if you haven’t already been immunized this fall against seasonal influenza (the flu), you will be expected to wear a mask when you enter Heartland Health Region (HHR) facilities and sites where patient care and service is provided. If you are not immunized against the flu, you will have to keep wearing a mask while in patient care and service locations until April 3, 2015 – the approximate end of the annual influenza season. The expectation to ‘Immunize or Mask’ applies to all members of the public who come into hospitals, long-term care facilities, primary health care sites, public health locations and other sites where patients, residents or clients typically access health region care or services. It includes common areas in these facilities such as hallways, lobbies, and waiting rooms, as well as patient rooms, wards, units, departments and other areas where patients, residents or clients typically access care or services. All HHR employees and other health professionals including physicians are required to have their seasonal influenza immunization or wear a mask while in the health region’s patient care
locations. Volunteers, students, vendors and contractors must also wear a mask in Heartland Health Region’s patient care locations if they have not received their seasonal influenza immunization. In the community, healthcare workers are required to be immunized or wear a mask when delivering care or service to patients or clients at home, or in public locations such as Wellness Clinics. The requirement to be immunized or wear a mask is part of a new provincewide Influenza Immunize or Mask Policy in effect i n a l l S a s k a t c h e wa n health regions and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The purpose is to further protect the health and safety of patients. It also serves to further protect healthcare workers, their colleagues, families, friends, and communities. “The number one prevention against influenza is to get your influenza vaccination every year,” says Dr. David Torr, Consulting Medical Health Officer for the region. “It is the best protection for you, your family, friends and communities from influenza.” Although the immunization cannot guarantee that you will not get the flu this season: • It greatly reduces the chance that you will get it.
Joie de vivre! . . . A goal is a joy, and for Nat Marc Bourgeois, centre and Ryan Robillard, the joy is evident as the pair celebrate Bourgeois’s first period marker,
Friday versus the visiting Macklin Mohawks. The Nats, however, lost the contest 4-3. (Independent Photo by Kevin
• If you do get the flu, the vaccine will likely reduce the length of time that you will suffer from the symptoms, as well as the strength of the illness. • With vaccine, you will also spread less of the virus for less time to those around you, if you get it. It is also very important for everyone to always practice proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette, and not to visit patients and health care facilities when you are ill or just recovering. It is not too late to get your
influenza. Gel hand sanitizer, an additional tool to further minimize the spread of infections, is located throughout HHR sites. Instructions on how to properly put on and take off the masks will be posted to assist people unfamiliar with the appropriate procedure. Posters will be in place explaining why people unaware of the Immunize or Mask Policy may see health care workers and others wearing masks.
influenza immunization. Public flu clinics continue in HHR through December. C l i n i c s ch e d u l e s a r e available at hrha.sk.ca. From January 2015 to the end of March 2015, flu shots are available at your nearest Public Health Office. In Heartland Health Region facilities, surgical/ procedure masks will be available for individuals who have chosen not to be immunized against
Immunization against the influenza virus is a safe and effective way to further prevent getting sick with and spreading the virus. Annual influenza immunization is recommended because the influenza viruses are always changing. Talk to your local Public Health Nurse, your Doctor or your Primary Care Provider if you have any questions about getting the influenza injection or nasal spray.
Kraft, Valade and Eide appointed to Asquith Housing Authority Darren
Early holiday shopping . . . With snow on the ground, area residents could get an early jump on holiday shopping as the annual Biggar Trade Fair was held at the Community Hall, November 22. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Brautigam)
Kraft has been reappointed Chairperson to the Asquith Housing Authority Board of Directors along with the reappointment of Susan Valade and new appointment of Jeff Eide. Other members of the board of directors are Kristy Campbell and Fern Downie. The Asquith Housing Authority is a communitybased organization that provides daily management of 18 housing units constructed and operated under the terms of a federal provincial
municipal cost sharing agreement. Social Services Minister, Donna Harpauer, paid tribute to the volunteers who manage the social housing projects in their community. “This local hands-on approach ensures that the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation responds effectively to the needs of each community.” Saskatchewan has a network of 271 housing authorities and more than 1,400 volunteer members who assist with
management of housing units throughout the province for seniors, low income families and persons with disabilities. Persons interested in volunteering to serve on the board of directors for the Asquith Housing Authority are encouraged to contact the mayor of Asquith.A local nominating committee recommends board members. Applications for accommodation are available from the manager of the Asquith Housing Authority.