September 20, 2021 – St. John’s, NL: To commemorate the children and the families that are impacted by residential schools and to support survivors in healing and reconciling together, Eastern Health will join the Provincial Government in observing September 30, 2021, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as a statutory holiday. As such, Eastern Health facilities, programs and services will operate on statutory holiday schedules, which will require changes to patient and client appointments.
Non-urgent appointments and procedures at Eastern Health facilities across the region are being rescheduled. Patients and clients whose appointments are affected are being contacted directly by Eastern Health staff and appointments are being rebooked at a future date.
COVID-19 vaccination clinics currently scheduled for September 30 will proceed, however, some appointments may be moved to an alternate location. In these cases, individuals will be contacted directly to advise of the change.
Appointments for all clients of the Provincial Cancer Care Program are being rebooked, including face-to-face, telehealth, virtual, telephone follow-ups, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, peripheral clinics, and breast screening appointments.
Clients who receive services through the Community Support Program will be advised by their service provider of any planned changes in their plan of care.
Eastern Health hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other sites with 24-hour operations will remain open, and emergency services will continue to be available at all sites.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is being established as a response to a Call to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and is a significant step in the reconciliation process. Eastern Health encourages everyone to take time to learn about residential schools and to reflect on the histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.
A list of contact numbers for appointment inquiries as well as general information numbers/switchboards can be found on Eastern Health’s website.
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