B.C. cancels some surgeries due to shortages caused by unvaccinated workers: minister – CTV
Nov. 2, 2021
VICTORIA – British Columbia hospitals are postponing some surgeries due to staffing shortages created by unvaccinated health-care workers who have been put on unpaid leave, says Health Minister Adrian Dix.
There are currently 3,325 health-care workers across the province who have not been immunized against COVID-19 in violation of the government’s proof-of-vaccination policy for health-care workers, which took effect last month, Dix said Monday.
The staffing shortages will result in reductions of operating services in hospitals in the Interior and Fraser health authorities, while added demand for health care has forced surgery postponements in many other parts of the province, the minister said at a news conference.
“Across B.C., the vast majority of our surgical rooms continue to run, but due to a variety of challenges there have been some reductions,” he said. “Kelowna General Hospital has reduced two operating rooms this week to compensate for staff who did not meet vaccination requirements who are on unpaid leave.
