Through collaboration and an unwavering commitment to patient care, one of Ontario’s hardest-hit health systems managed through the third wave of the pandemic
By Dr. Naveed Mohammad
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the communities served by William Osler Health System (Osler) – the City of Brampton, North Etobicoke and the surrounding areas – have been hit particularly hard, consistently recording some of the highest positivity rates in the province. This has had a profound impact on Osler’s staff, physicians and volunteers who have put forth an unprecedented dedicated effort to continue delivering safe, quality care to an influx of patients.
At the height of the third wave of the pandemic, Osler operated well over capacity and would have been challenged to meet the health care needs of its communities without the unrelenting support of its hospital partners. While providing care to their own communities during this extraordinary time, close to 40 hospitals and other health care facilities graciously accepted the transfer of more than 800 patients from Osler’s inpatient hospitals – Brampton Civic Hospital and Etobicoke General Hospital. More than 33 health care professionals from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Ontario Home and Community Care sector, Kemptville District Hospital and the Canadian Red Cross also answered the call and volunteered their time and expertise – some even arriving by military aircraft to support Osler in its time of need.
With the help of all our health care partners, as well as the support of the Ontario Government, Ontario Health, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Royal Canadian Air Force, Osler was able to provide care for an exceptionally high number of patients with COVID-19 when they needed it most.
Our entire team at Osler and the patients we care for are profoundly grateful to all those who supported us during this difficult time. This support ensured all patients from Osler’s communities, including many who were critically ill at the time of transfer, received quality, compassionate care at other hospital facilities. It has been a challenging time for all hospitals across Ontario, and we appreciate the ongoing partnerships and collaboration that help make us stronger together.
The level of collaboration among hospitals across the province and the entire country during this time continues to be a source of inspiration. Collaboration makes us all better.
Dr. Naveed Mohammad is President and CEO of William Osler Health System which includes Brampton Civic Hospital, Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness and Etobicoke General Hospital, and serves 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke and the surrounding communities within Ontario’s Central West region.
