Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
News London
Hospitals bow out of program in bid to keep lid on flu spread
City's largest employer not participating this year
By KELLY PEDRO
Last Updated: 4th November 2009, 10:18am
When thousands of Grade 9 students descend on London workplaces today for the annual Take Our Kids to Work Day, they won't be heading to the city's largest employer.
The London Health Sciences Centre, which normally has about 300 students tour the hospital and see doctors and nurses in action, is not taking part this year in an effort to protect staff and patients during the H1N1 pandemic.
"Take (Our) Kids to Work Day is typically a pretty active day for both the London hospitals," said Sandra Letton, integrated vice- president of professional practice and chief nursing executive for both St. Joseph's Health Care and London Health Sciences Centre. "We really felt that due to the widespread illness in schools it would be unwise to bring those hundreds of children into our facilities."
LHSC was expecting 350 Grade 9 students today and St. Joseph's was prepared to take on 100 students before the hospitals decided last week to withdraw from the event this year.
Letton said although disappointed, everyone understands the decision.
John Marinelli, program co-ordinator at the London District Catholic school board, said the board and guidance counsellors still hope to have all Grade 9 students in workplaces today and have been working with the students who were to visit the hospital to come up with other ideas.
Other employers such as 3M, General Dynamics and city hall are going ahead with Take Our Kids to Work Day.
City hall expects 85 students and has told them not to come if they have flu-like symptoms, said Moira Barnes, human resources manager.
3M said it has advised its students to do the same and is providing hand sanitizers to the ones who turn out.
Take Our Kids to Work Day gives Grade 9 students a chance to tour a family member's workplace and explore career options. About 250,000 Canadian youth took part in the annual event last year at more than 75,000 workplaces. Since the program began in 1994, more than 1.5 million youths and tens of thousands of workplaces have participated.
http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2009/11/04/11629071-sun.html
Hospitals bow out of program in bid to keep lid on flu spread
City's largest employer not participating this year
By KELLY PEDRO
Last Updated: 4th November 2009, 10:18am
When thousands of Grade 9 students descend on London workplaces today for the annual Take Our Kids to Work Day, they won't be heading to the city's largest employer.
The London Health Sciences Centre, which normally has about 300 students tour the hospital and see doctors and nurses in action, is not taking part this year in an effort to protect staff and patients during the H1N1 pandemic.
"Take (Our) Kids to Work Day is typically a pretty active day for both the London hospitals," said Sandra Letton, integrated vice- president of professional practice and chief nursing executive for both St. Joseph's Health Care and London Health Sciences Centre. "We really felt that due to the widespread illness in schools it would be unwise to bring those hundreds of children into our facilities."
LHSC was expecting 350 Grade 9 students today and St. Joseph's was prepared to take on 100 students before the hospitals decided last week to withdraw from the event this year.
Letton said although disappointed, everyone understands the decision.
John Marinelli, program co-ordinator at the London District Catholic school board, said the board and guidance counsellors still hope to have all Grade 9 students in workplaces today and have been working with the students who were to visit the hospital to come up with other ideas.
Other employers such as 3M, General Dynamics and city hall are going ahead with Take Our Kids to Work Day.
City hall expects 85 students and has told them not to come if they have flu-like symptoms, said Moira Barnes, human resources manager.
3M said it has advised its students to do the same and is providing hand sanitizers to the ones who turn out.
Take Our Kids to Work Day gives Grade 9 students a chance to tour a family member's workplace and explore career options. About 250,000 Canadian youth took part in the annual event last year at more than 75,000 workplaces. Since the program began in 1994, more than 1.5 million youths and tens of thousands of workplaces have participated.
http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2009/11/04/11629071-sun.html