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For Immediate Release
November 12, 2003
Court says Foothills must allow independent mould testing to check on clean up
Nurses working on the mould-contaminated unit at the Foothills Hospital were relieved today with the court decision on testing and clean up at the hospital.
“Our nurses are pleased to have their health concerns finally validated,” says Michelle Senkow, Vice President of the Foothills UNA Local. “The court recognized there has been a six-year history of legitimate health concerns at this Foothills unit. Now we can have more confidence the contamination will be dealt with.”
Madam Justice Karen Horner of the Court of Queen’s Bench gave her decision on November 12, 2003 ordering that UNA’s technical expert, Ms. Karen Rollins will be allowed to enter Foothills Medical Centre and observe the implementation of the Action Plan to clean up contamination. With notice, she can take samples and have them tested and preserved.
Previous testing and tests earlier this year found toxic mould contamination on the dialysis unit at the hospital. Nurses and other Employees have experienced a range of health problems including nose bleeds, rashes, respiratory problems and other symptoms. Over 60 Registered nurses working on the unit have experienced health problems.
“The judge agreed it is reasonable to have an outside expert in to take samples and preserve evidence,” Michelle Senkow says. “We need to know what’s there for nurses’ and patients’ protection. Taking samples now gives us a record of what’s been found.”
Senkow points out that this was an interim decision to have a monitored clean up begin on the unit on November 24. The nurses’ main court motion to allow air quality expert Professor Tang Lee in to test the building comes up January 12, 2004.
“In this six year history the CHR has conducted many investigations without resolving the problems. We want Professor Lee to come in to make sure that the building is safe,” Michelle Senkow says.
The judge also awarded costs of fees and expenses plus $5000 against Alberta Workplace Health and Safety and the Calgary Health Region.
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