Ariis91Ƶs Law 91Ƶ expanding the definition of 91Ƶessential visitors91Ƶ in hospital during the ongoing pandemic, to better support people with disabilities 91Ƶ has arrived.
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And while 91ƵAriis91Ƶs Law91Ƶ 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.
91ƵAriis taught people a lot while she lived and has left a legacy even though she is now gone,91Ƶ Tennant said Wednesday (May 20).
91ƵI will be referring to this change as Ariis91Ƶs Law.91Ƶ
Tennant is chief executive officer of UNITI, a partnership of three organizations 91Ƶ including Semiahmoo House Society (SHS) 91Ƶ 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 91Ƶ but could communicate with those who knew her well 91Ƶ 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 weren91Ƶt 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 91Ƶthat helps to make sure that patients with disabilities have the support they need when they are getting health care.91Ƶ
In a May 19 communiqué to health authorities 91Ƶ signed by Henry and deputy minister of health Stephen Brown 91Ƶ the definition of essential visits was expanded to include visits 91Ƶparamount to the patient/client91Ƶs physical care and mental well-being,91Ƶ including assistance with feeding, mobility, personal care and communication for those with hearing, visual, speech, cognitive, intellectual or memory impairments; and 91Ƶassistance by designated representatives for persons with disabilities, including provision of emotional support.91Ƶ
Tennant said Wednesday he is 91Ƶvery pleased that the government listened and has finally made this change.91Ƶ
91ƵAriis91Ƶs 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.91Ƶ
tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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