Board of Health Meeting September 10, 2015
Summary
MOHLTC Funding
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced on September 4, 2015 that they are
implementing the funding formula recommended by the Funding Review Committee in 2013. Public
Health was the last of the health agencies that did not have a funding formula guiding provincial transfer
payments. The funding formula considers two sets of factors – service drivers (geography and language)
and drivers of need (Aboriginal population, residential instability, material deprivation, dependency,
ethnic concentration and preventable mortality).
The MOHLTC used the funding formula to allocate the 2% provincial increase in public health funding for
2015. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) received a 1% increase - most of it
for increased funding to the Smoke Free Ontario Program. We only received $37 (0.0005% increase) for
the general public health programs cost shared budget with the obligated municipalities instead of the
2% the Board of Health had requested in funding from the province. The Board will be discussing the
implications of this new funding approach on programs and services.
Human Resources Program
The Ontario Public Health Organizational Standards ensures that a Human Resources Strategy is
implemented in each Health Unit. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit meets or exceeds
these standards in all but a couple of areas and these are being worked on.
Finance and Property Committee
The Board approved the creation of a Finance and Property Committee to provide advice to the Board of
Health, and the Medical Officer of Health/Chief Executive Officer (MOH/CEO) in the administration and
risk management of matters related to the finances and facilities of the organization. The work of this
committee ensures compliance with the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care Ontario Board of Health Accountability Agreement, and the Ontario Public Health
Organizational Standards.
Provincial Appointments
Two new members of the community have been appointed by the province to the Board of Health –
Cheryl Russell-Julien (Rideau Lakes) and Wayne Desormeaux (North Grenville). Two provincial appointee
vacancies remain – a community member for one is currently being considered by the province.
Recruitment is underway for the final position.
Program Updates
The Board heard a presentation on the youth tobacco program called “Living Smoke Free” that
facilitates youth working with the arts in their community to paint a picture of what living tobacco-free
means to them.
The Health Unit is now offering breastfeeding clinics in several sites across the region. Women are
provided with information and support to increase confidence about breastfeeding.
Community veterinarians are working with the Health Unit and municipalities to provide rabies
immunization clinics for dogs and cats in 20 sites across the region on Wednesday, September 9 and
September 16. Dogs and cats are required by law to be immunized. If dogs and cats are protected from
developing rabies then this decreases the risk of people being exposed to the deadly virus.
The Health Unit collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, and local lake
associations has facilitated the rapid detection of blue green algae blooms and the communication of
the information to those who need to be informed. Several presentations have been made at lake
association meetings to provide information about blue green algae.