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January
22, 2007
Media
Release
Headwaters
Health Care Centre
Providing a Safe and Healthy
Environment for Patients and Employees
Orangeville
– Today, in conjunction with National Non-Smoking Week, Headwaters
Health Care Centre announced its plan to make all of its properties
smoke-free, effective May 31, 2007.
Headwaters is making this change
to ensure our patients, visitors, staff, physician and volunteers are not
exposed to second-hand smoke. This policy applies to smoking in the
parking lots as well as on sidewalks and roadways within the boundaries of
both hospital campuses.
“Headwaters Health Care Centre
is committed to demonstrating leadership in health promotion and disease
prevention,” says Bob Baynham, Headwaters’ President and CEO. “The
smoke-free policy is a positive step forward in building both a healthier
work environment and a healthier community.”
A number of hospitals in
Ontario
have already become smoke-free on all property and more are planning to do
the same. Headwaters is proud to join them in their effort to promote good
health.
“We realize for smokers this
change may present some challenges,” says Baynham. “Supports will be
available to patients during their hospital stay. We have assembled a
multi-disciplinary team to develop a comprehensive plan to support
patients and staff as we transition to a smoke-free environment.”
Smoking is the leading cause of
preventable disease and death in
Ontario
, killing more than 16,000 people annually. Every year, the treatment if
tobacco related illness costs Ontarians $1.7 billion annually and accounts
for at least 500,000 hospital days.
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