Welcome to DH Connections

Ensuring you have the tools and information needed to do your job effectively is only part of what we need to be doing to create a culture of collaboration and teamwork. The other part of our responsibility is to create a safe space for you to share your feedback and ideas on how we can continue to improve and meet the needs of our staff, volunteers and residents.

Welcome to DH Connections, a new site to help keep you informed and up-to-date on the happenings around Dearness Home and a place to share your concerns, feedback & ideas on how we as a team can work to build a better Dearness Home for staff, volunteers and residents.

Workplace Equity and Inclusion Action Plan

Thank you to the employees who participated in the Equity and Inclusion survey, employee focus groups and focus group surveys. Your input will be valuable in the development of this plan.

Take some time to read the Equity and Inclusion Audit Survey Results.

A more in-depth report is available here.

What's Next for the Workplace Equity and Inclusion Action Plan

The ARAO Division and People Services are currently drafting and finalizing this Workplace Equity and Inclusion Action Plan.

The data from both the survey and the focus groups have informed the Plan's preliminary areas of focus and continue to guide the actions in each category. Here's what you can expect to see in the final version of the Plan:

Preliminary Area of Focus

1. Workplace Demographics, Hiring and Representation

2. Leadership Capabilities

3. Policies and Procedures

4. Career Paths and Advancement

5. A Culture of Inclusion and Belonging

Below is an example of a (draft) action item under the first area of focus:

We want this to be an employee informed plan at every step of the process.

Please reach out to Krista Arnold at Karnold@london.ca or via phone at 519-661-2478 ext. 5063 with any questions.

New Text Notification System for Open Shifts is Now LIVE

This week we successfully completed the testing process and are now ready to go live!

Today you will receive a text from one of the old texting system phone numbers (Daniela @ 226-268-1416 or Linda @ 226-927-2181) to let you know that the phone numbers will be discontinued as we move to the new system. You will also receive a text on the new system stating that all shift notifications will be sent from the following toll-free number 1-888-492-2409.

Please note that Canadian law requires mass text messages to provide an opt out message with every sent text. This means when Dearness Home sends you a shift notification text that it will contain the following required message at the end of the text:

Please do not reply to the text by tying "stop" as it will block this number from your phone and you not receive further shift notificatons. It will be your responsibility to notify Linda or Daniela if this happens, otherwise they may not know.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Linda (x8269), Daniela (x8286) or Jason Westbrook (x5733.)

EAP has a New Website and App.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) LifeWorks has launched a new website and App. to offer a variety of resources, tools and features for managers, employees and their immediate families.

As always, you can continue to access the EAP program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-844-880-9142.

Healthcare Heroes

Everyday you strive to meet the mental, physical and emotional needs of the Dearness Home residents. It's important to know that work does not go unnoticed - by management and the families of residents. Just take a look below.

Thank you so much, Dearness Home, and I suppose London Health Care. You are doing an incredible job caring for our loved ones. Even in the best of times, caring for aged, or mentally impaired residents is an enormous challenge. For the most part us relatives had come to the end our our abilities to care for our parents, children, relatives, friends. Now with Covid19 its a nightmare for you which never seems to end.

We are super appreciative of the care staff give. Mom is well looked after, seems content. After Dad died both Mom's physical and mental acumen tanked. Living at Dearness has provided safety and a-one quality care. Thank you all.