Dear Editor:
The Sunrise Health Region has added a new policy to their extensive, existing list of policies. They have now added a no smoking ban to that list. As of July 1, 2013 no one is allowed to smoke anywhere on their properties.
In the past they have policies in place that do not allow colognes to be worn, gel nails are not allowed, rings, earrings and jewelry in general are not allowed and staff are to wear proper scrub clothing and foot wear.
The punishment for employees, who do not comply with the policies, remains the same and will be carried through for the no smoking policy just as it has been for all other such policies. Which is; staff, visitors, patients and residents are expected to honour the Health Region's policies and now 'Butt out' before entering the grounds. If one is caught the repercussions remain the same. Staff will be written up and if they continue to not adhere to the policy, they can be suspended without pay.
With the smoking ban on the property we were told by, one of authority, that residents in our Care Home will have the existing smoking room BUT no one will be accepted, going forward, who is a smoker so that eventually the room will be depleted.
It was also told to us that when a patient comes to our hospital for care they will be advised that it is now a non-smoking facility and the patient may choose to go elsewhere for care if they wish or, retreat to city property for a cigarette if the need arises.
We worry as to the safety of our family, friends and relatives who may need medical attention as they will have to drag their IV poles to the street, maybe trip and fall with a walker or tip as they try to wheel their own wheel chair across the drive way entrance to the city property.
If you have ever visited our Health facilities we are sure you have seen many wearing rings, neck chains and earrings. You have also gasped the fragrance of a too strong cologne or been dazzled by beautiful gel and acrylic nails polished and sparkled to a shine. You will also have noticed sandals, skirts, sleeveless tops, and short pants being worn as well. All of which have been over looked because of the level of personnel who are wearing them. The wearers of these fineries will not be punished as they are a very important and necessary factor to our health system. We have a hard time picturing them being punished to any degree as our Health System has a shortage of doctors, nurses and care aids so if they are stepped on they will just go work in another
region where they can be themselves and not be suspended or written up or for that matter, dictated to.
The support workers will be dressed according to all policies in place and wish not to be suspended without pay for any given time. They are the least paid per hour and are in truth 'a dime a dozen' hence management will always find and hire others so we will, once again be made the example of.
The existing smokers have a small area in back of the hospital, outside, where they, doctors and aids go and are not in the view or smell vicinity of any resident or patient or even their fellow employees, thus not bothering one non-smoker.
We fail to understand why the hidden area we are in outside cannot be the designated smoking area rather than everyone adorning the front city street with smokers placed up front and center.
We ask the public general to please forgive us for basically 'getting in your face' on a city street directly in front of your Health facilities and smoking in your presence but we have been forced to leave our hidden space and move to these locations and sincerely apologise to you.
P.S. Not all of the undersigned are smokers. Some are just concerned for the safety of all staff and patients forced to the streets.
M. Dech, T. Deyneka,
K. Woitas, T. Kowalchuk, T. Kereliuk, B. Smith,
J. Materi, C. Liewellyn, R.D. Smith, J. Kunkel,
B. Ward, M. Parachoniak, S. Buceuk, C. Scebenski, C. Chamzuk, C. Bratkoski, M. Schultz, S. Anderson, A. Daneluk, N. Beatty, A. Russel, Trina Brenda Jame, K. Thompson,
M. Osicki.
