Public Health Unveils Plans for Public Health Services at Jackson Square
Written by admin, September 25, 2015
September 25, 2015 – Medical Officer of Health and PCCHU Staff Excited for Public Health to Join Downtown Community in November
Today officials from Peterborough Public Health announced the details of their plans to bring public health services and programs downtown when it moves into the first three floors of Jackson Square at 185 King St. in November 2015.
“Residents will also find it much easier to use our programs and services in one central location, and enjoy the convenience of accessing other health and social services nearby,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Joining the downtown core also brings attention to the important role public health plays in building stronger communities and neighbourhoods through partnership, innovation, advocacy, and action.”
Starting this November, all programs and services currently delivered at Public Health’s Hospital Dr. and O’Carroll Ave. locations will move to Jackson Square. The Public Health’s Community Dental Health Centre remains located nearby at Peterborough Square on George Street. In addition to the many health promotion, inspection and policy planning activities, the following front-line services will be offered at Jackson Square:
- Sexual health clinic
- Routine immunization clinic
- Travel health clinic
- Vaccine records and immunization consultation
- Vaccine pick up for healthcare providers
- Prenatal classes
- Nutrition workshops
- Food handler training courses
- Septic/sewage disposal permits
- Quitting smoking information
- Health hazards complaints and inquiries
On hand were a number of local dignitaries, including MPP Jeff Leal whose stalwart efforts at the provincial level ensured the success of Public Health’s move. “I want to take the opportunity to thank Peterborough Public Health, the County of Peterborough, the City of Peterborough and AON Inc. as partners in this project. We have been working cooperatively over the past number of years to achieve this result. This announcement will bring important County and City Health Services to the downtown core of Peterborough.”
The Public Health financed the move by successfully negotiating additional one-time funding of $1,798,300 from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and by selling its property at 185 King Street. The Public Health’s municipal stakeholders, including the City and County of Peterborough, and Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations, also contributed a total of $599,433 in one-time funding towards the new building space. The MOHLTC and municipal stakeholders also agreed to increase Public Health’s annual operating costs to accommodate payments on a $3.5 million mortgage, a loan backed by the City and County of Peterborough.
Renovations at Jackson Square are well underway to create the office spaces and meeting rooms. A new feature of Public Health’s building not funded by government sources will be the creation of a commercial-quality Community Kitchen on the second floor. A fundraising campaign to develop this unique facility will be launched in the coming weeks. The Public Health is planning to host a Community Open House in the Spring of 2016 to provide local residents and partners a chance to tour the new facilities.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391