Notice to HSA members: 2020 Annual Convention postponed

HSA’s annual convention, slated for April 1 – 3, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver, has been postponed indefinitely.

The decision to postpone was made last night on an emergency conference call meeting of the union’s Board of Directors. The union has weighed the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the more than 400 delegates registered to attend, and the potential impact on the public health system.

HSA has been involved in regular briefings with the BC Provincial Health Officer, and has been following the guidance of the Public Health Agency of Canada, and regional health authority medical health officers closely.

Based on recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer to step up social distancing, and the Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines on mass gatherings, postponing the convention is the best step for the union to take to protect the health of our members and to ensure availability of critical members of the health care team to care for people in communities across the province.

HSA will provide specific information for registered delegates later today by email.