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January 25, 2018 Meeting Summary

Board of Health Meeting Summary – January 25, 2018

Election of Officers

Anne Warren, Councillor from the Town of Gananoque, was elected Chair for a fourth term, and Doug Malanka, Mayor of Augusta Township, was elected Vice-Chair for his second term. They have provided strong leadership through a challenging year where the very future of local public health was questioned by the Ontario Expert Panel Report on Public Health Organization and Governance.

2018 Public Health Budget and Municipal Levy

The Board approved the 2018 General Public Health Programs Budget of $12,862,239. There will be no increase in the municipal levy that supports these programs and services.

2018 Land Control Budget and Fees

The Board of Health approved the Land Control Budget of $481,827 with no increase in septic system permits or other fees for 2018.

Year in Review – 2017 Program Update

The Directors presented a summary of their program accomplishments in 2017. Much is being done to promote and protect the health of the residents of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. The presentation is available on request. Key highlights of work to improve organizational excellence include:

  • Implementation of an Absence Management Program
  • Conflict resolution training sessions for all staff and Change Leadership for management staff
  • Restructuring to align with the new Ontario Public Health Standards and Annual Service Plan
  • Health Unit wide risks and controls identified
  • Approval from the Ministry of the Terms of Reference for the Multi-Workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee
  • Report on population health indicators to measure progress on the Strategic Plan
  • Participated in the Public Health Ontario Locally Driven Collaborative Project on Quality Improvement in Public Health
  • Started LGBTQ Positive Space initiative for staff and clients
  • Electronic Medical Record explored and implementation plan developed
  • Completed Continuity of Operations Plan and tabletop exercise for Incident Management System response to opioids

Looking forward to 2018, priorities will include:

  • Renewing the LGLDHU Strategic Plan
  • Developing program performance dashboards
  • Supporting employee recognition and appreciation
  • Creating a Quality Council to lead quality improvement initiatives
  • Enhancing community engagement of Health Unit programs and services
  • Promoting use of a new AODA compliant, mobile friendly website and its features
  • Facilitating LGL opioid response
  • Supporting Champlain and SE LHIN sub region work
  • Implementing an Electronic Medical Record to enhance privacy and confidentiality and client service.