AHS, Covenant Health, and major health care unions release updated joint statement on Personal Protective Equipment use during COVID-19 pandemic

EDMONTON - Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Covenant Health (CH), the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), and United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) have reached agreement on an updated joint statement on the safe and effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers and unions share the common goal of protecting the health and safety of health care workers. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, PPE has been a key factor in protecting the health and safety of health care workers by helping to prevent exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 as they provide high-quality care to Albertans.

The updated joint agreement provides further clarity and empowers health care workers to make decisions on the appropriate PPE based on risk assessments. This means all health care workers will have access to an N95 respirator or equivalent, if they determine it is required based on their assessment. As partners in the response to COVID-19, we trust our front line health care teams to make appropriate decisions that support their physical and mental health.

All parties are committed to continuing to work together to address issues and solve problems as they arise.

We remain grateful for the dedication and commitment of all health care teams during this challenging time.