Ariis害羞草研究所檚 Law 害羞草研究所� expanding the definition of 害羞草研究所榚ssential visitors害羞草研究所� in hospital during the ongoing pandemic, to better support people with disabilities 害羞草研究所� has arrived.
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And while 害羞草研究所楢riis害羞草研究所檚 Law害羞草研究所� may not be the official name for the changes introduced this week by Minister of Health Adrian Dix, for Doug Tennant, it simply makes sense.
害羞草研究所淎riis taught people a lot while she lived and has left a legacy even though she is now gone,害羞草研究所� Tennant said Wednesday (May 20).
害羞草研究所淚 will be referring to this change as Ariis害羞草研究所檚 Law.害羞草研究所�
Tennant is chief executive officer of UNITI, a partnership of three organizations 害羞草研究所� including Semiahmoo House Society (SHS) 害羞草研究所� that works to advocate for and support people with disabilities and their families.
Ariis Knight was supported by SHS for about a decade prior to her death last month at Peace Arch Hospital.
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The 40-year-old, who was non-verbal 害羞草研究所� but could communicate with those who knew her well 害羞草研究所� was admitted with non-COVID-19-related breathing difficulties on April 15. Due to hospital-visitor protocols in place at the time, however, none of her support workers or family members were allowed to accompany her, as they weren害羞草研究所檛 deemed essential.
Fraser Health officials said following her death that medical staff at the time determined assistance in communicating with Knight was not required.
Ultimately, Knight died without anyone who knew or loved her nearby.
Word of her experience sparked criticism and a call for changes to the policy. Much of the outcry was expressed by self advocates and their family members, who penned a letter to Dix, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, calling for a policy 害羞草研究所渢hat helps to make sure that patients with disabilities have the support they need when they are getting health care.害羞草研究所�
In a May 19 communiqu茅 to health authorities 害羞草研究所� signed by Henry and deputy minister of health Stephen Brown 害羞草研究所� the definition of essential visits was expanded to include visits 害羞草研究所減aramount to the patient/client害羞草研究所檚 physical care and mental well-being,害羞草研究所� including assistance with feeding, mobility, personal care and communication for those with hearing, visual, speech, cognitive, intellectual or memory impairments; and 害羞草研究所渁ssistance by designated representatives for persons with disabilities, including provision of emotional support.害羞草研究所�
Tennant said Wednesday he is 害羞草研究所渧ery pleased that the government listened and has finally made this change.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淎riis害羞草研究所檚 Law will increase the safety of people with disabilities in hospitals and will allow hospital workers to focus on the medical work that they do best.害羞草研究所�
tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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