Board of Health Feb/13 Meeting Summary
Written by Communications, February 15, 2019
Delegation: Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC)
PRHC’s Board Chair Adair Ireland-Smith and President & CEO Dr. Peter McLaughlin provided an update to the Board of Health on the hospital’s 2018 accomplishments. Highlights included the opening of a children’s cancer clinic and the introduction of a downtown Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic run to support patients who require support following a visit to the emergency department caused by opioid use. New services in 2018 also included urgent care clinics for both children/adolescents and adults. They also shared plans in 2019 to pilot a walk-in mental health clinic for children and adolescents. When comparing 2017 to 2018, PRHC volumes increased across the board in terms of emergency department visits, mental health outpatient visits, surgical procedures, admissions and babies born. Dr. Salvaterra noted as well the important collaboration underway with PRHC and the Peterborough Family Health Team to develop a smoking cessation system with all local health care partners.
New Canada Food Guide: Update and Public Health Implications
Registered Dietitian Luisa Magalhaes introduced the new Canada Food Guide (CFG) released earlier in 2019 and explained how it will be used to develop nutrition policies, programs, and resources. New features of the CFG include recommendations that Canadians consume more fruits and vegetables and drink water as the beverage of choice – not juice with its high sugar content. How we eat is another important change in the CFG, with an emphasis on enjoying food together, cooking more often, being mindful of eating habits, and being aware of food marketing, especially for unhealthy foods targeted to children. The CFG influences many segments of society as it is taught in schools and used by health professionals when discussing dietary requirements for their patients. It also guides foods served and sold in Canada’s public institutions. Ms. Magalhaes noted that any evidence funded by the food industry was excluded from consideration in the development of the CFG. More resources are forthcoming for specific dietary guidelines for specific populations (e.g. children, pregnant women, etc.) for healthcare providers and policy makers. For PPH, the new CFG will inform the development of programs and policies that improve food environments where we live, work, play, and learn. It will support a universal, evidence-based approach to healthy eating in institutions, and encourages understanding and action around barriers that make it hard for residents to meet nutrition needs. In response to concerns raised about the challenges for some local residents to afford the foods recommended in the guide (especially fresh produce), PPH staff explained the need to continue advocating for increased incomes as an important step in addressing food insecurity.
Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the County and City of Peterborough 2019 Oral Health Report
The 2019 Oral Health Report was released at the Board of Health meeting and describes the dental health of people living in Peterborough County and City and First Nation communities. It also demonstrates the scope and impact of oral health programs at PPH. This report is intended to help inform decision-makers on the nature and distribution of oral health challenges and opportunities in the community. Good oral health is essential to overall health and quality of life. Oral pain, missing teeth or oral infections can influence the way a person speaks, eats and socializes. These oral health problems can reduce a person’s quality of life by affecting their physical, mental and social well-being. PPH conducts oral health screening in 47 schools in the Peterborough area – including Curve Lake First Nation, public, separate, private and three intermediate schools. On average 8.1% of children screened in schools were identified with an urgent dental need. The Dental Treatment Assistance Fund (DTAF) is the only local fund dedicated to providing funds for emergency dental treatment to people who have no access to dental insurance. It is funded exclusively through donations, and from 2015 to 2018, DTAF assisted 702 individuals between 18 and 82 years of age. The average cost of emergency treatment from the fund was $127 per person. In October 2018, the Community Dental Health Clinic (CDHC) moved from its location in Peterborough Square to PPH’s main office at 185 King Street. The clinic provides high quality, accessible and comprehensive preventive, routine and emergency dental services for eligible individuals and families. It continues to be well utilized by local residents. For the two year period between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 there were 6,193 completed appointments for 1,401 unique clients in the CDHC. PPH continues to support and promote community water fluoridation for the benefit of all residents in the city of Peterborough. Reputable scientific studies conducted throughout the past 70 years have consistently shown that fluoridation of community water supplies is a safe and effective way to prevent dental decay in both children and adults.
Summary of 2018 Donations
For the year ending December 31, 2018, PPH received a total of $30,044 in charitable donations for programs. In 2018, 76 employees made charitable donations through payroll deductions, with donations being directed to the public health programs and/or the United Way. A total of $12,177 was donated by PPH employees through payroll contributions to the United Way and PPH programs. As it continues to develop its fundraising strategy, PPH will continue to:
- form the public we are a charitable organization and welcome donations;
- use www.canadahelps.org as a convenient way to make donations;
- develop a legacy fundraising campaign in 2019; and,
- profile these specific programs/funds on the PPH Website, and in applicable PPH publications and resources.
Next Meeting:
The Board of Health meets next on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the J.K. Edwards Board Room, third floor, 185 King St., Peterborough, Ontario.
A list of Board of Health meeting dates and locations for 2019 can be found here.