Board of Health Welcomes Ministry of Health Consultations to Guide the Future of Public Health
Written by Communications, November 19, 2019
Board Keen to Provide Evidence-Based Input as Ministry Resets Original Plans to Transform Public Health
The Board of Health is keen to take part in the province-wide consultations launched yesterday by the Ministry of Health that will shape the future of public health in Ontario.
“We welcome the Ministry’s approach to reset the conversation to restructure public health units and look forward to actively participating in the upcoming consultations,” said Kathryn Wilson, chair of the Board of Health for Peterborough Public Health. “In these discussions our Board will continue to ensure the long-term health and safety of local residents remains front and centre as public health models are re-envisioned.”
Ministry officials have stated during the launch yesterday that there are no predetermined outcomes going into these consultations and that they are ‘all ears’ to hear from local public health agencies and community partners. They will be circulating a discussion paper to guide the discussions with local public health agencies. The consultations will be led by Mr. Jim Pine, Special Advisory to the Ministry.
Ms. Wilson went on to say the Board of Health looks forward to hosting the Ministry’s consultation team in Peterborough as they tour the province in the coming weeks. “This board has been very active in responding to the changes proposed by the provincial government in their April 11 budget. We welcome the opportunity to have face to face discussions with Mr. Pine and share the evidence we’ve generated to propose a public health model that would be most effective for residents of this area.”
Peterborough Public Health serves the 140,000 residents of the City and County of Peterborough, as well as Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and offers a wide range of programs and services ranging from healthy eating workshops, poverty reduction initiatives to controlling infectious disease outbreaks, water safety and oral health and sexual health clinic services.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391