MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH REPORT TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH - Prepared by Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health/Executive Officer
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North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
MEDICAL OFFICER OF
HEALTH REPORT TO THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
Prepared by Dr. Jim Chirico
Medical Officer of Health/Executive Officer
September 25, 2019Contents
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH UPDATE ........................................................................................................ 2
North East Public Health Transformation Initiative (NEPHTI) Update ...................................................... 2
Proposed Merger Boundaries Update ...................................................................................................... 2
Provincial Cost-shared Funding Update.................................................................................................... 3
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UPDATES ........................................................................................................... 3
Organizational ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Safer and Positive Spaces...................................................................................................................... 3
Corporate Services .................................................................................................................................... 4
Building and Maintenance .................................................................................................................... 4
Communications ................................................................................................................................... 4
Emergency Preparedness...................................................................................................................... 5
Information Technology ........................................................................................................................ 5
Planning and Evaluation........................................................................................................................ 6
Quality Assurance ................................................................................................................................. 7
Clinical Services ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Communicable Disease Control ............................................................................................................ 8
Genetics ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Nursing Practice .................................................................................................................................... 9
Oral Health and Vision Screening.......................................................................................................... 9
Sexual Health / Clinical Information ..................................................................................................... 9
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ............................................................................................................. 10
Community Services................................................................................................................................ 10
Environmental Health ......................................................................................................................... 10
Healthy Families .................................................................................................................................. 11
Healthy Living ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Healthy Schools ................................................................................................................................... 12
Finance .................................................................................................................................................... 12
Human Resources ................................................................................................................................... 12
Employee & Labour Relations ............................................................................................................. 12
Occupational Health and Safety ......................................................................................................... 12
Professional Development .................................................................................................................. 13
Staffing ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Page 1 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH UPDATE
North East Public Health Transformation Initiative (NEPHTI) Update
The northeastern medical officers of health finalized and submitted their report to the government in
July. The report contextualizes the geography and population of the northeast as well as program and
service delivery. It outlines recommendations pertaining to the government’s plan to modernize public
health. More specifically, leadership and management, representation and governance, and enabling
transition to the new system. To date, there has not been a response from the government.
Proposed Merger Boundaries Update
As a reminder, the government has proposed a reduction in the number of health units from 35 to 10
regional health units (RHUs) by 2020-2021. For the north, they are proposing two regional public health
units; a northwest and northeast. The northwest mergers include Northwestern and Thunder Bay
District Health Units. The northeast would be comprised of Algoma, Sudbury, Porcupine, Timiskaming,
and North Bay Parry Sound with the possible inclusion of the Muskoka portion of Simcoe Muskoka
District Health Unit and part of the Algonquin Park geography from Renfrew County and District Health
Unit.
This new northeast regional public health entity would include 108 municipalities and cover about
400,000 sq. km without the addition of Muskoka or Renfrew areas.
When first announced in the spring, the timelines to conclude consultations, introduce the legislation by
the fall so the regional entities would legally be empowered by April 1, 2020, seemed unrealistic and it
was. To date, no word has been received from the government regarding the mergers as consultations
with municipalities and public health have not been completed and the legislation not tabled. While not
formally announced or officially confirmed by the Ministry of Health (Ministry), we have reason to
believe this delay means that for 2020, the current Boards of Health will continue as is, at least until the
end of 2020. The Health Unit’s programs, service delivery, and budget planning for 2020 is based on this
assumption unless directed otherwise.
It has been made clear by the Ministry that there is flexibility regarding both the number of proposed
health units (10) and the planned boundaries. They are still up for discussion pending consultations. It is
my impression they are sincere about this so, there is still an opportunity to influence the outcome.
An additional option for the north to consider due to the vast geography and inordinate number of
municipalities that will have less representation on regional boards, would be to have three regional
entities for the north instead of two; a northwest as mentioned, a northcentral (Algoma & Sudbury), and
a northeast (Porcupine, Timiskaming, and North Bay Parry Sound).
While the governance structure, representation or location of regional boards of health (BOHs) has yet
to be determined, there will likely only be 13 to 15 representatives for 108 municipalities. There is
speculation that there may be “Advisory Councils” (similar to current BOHs but without decision-making
authority) from each sub-region in order to inform the regional BOH and increase municipal input
throughout the entire district.
Page 2 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
Provincial Cost-shared Funding Update
As you are aware, the government is downloading more public health costs and other costs to
municipalities throughout the province. The original cost-sharing formula has changed to a more
simplified provincial/municipal split of 70%/30% cost-sharing arrangement to be implemented January
1, 2020, for all health units.
The 2019 budget has been approved by the Ministry and reconciled. No additional municipal levies will
be required in 2019.
In 2020, no municipality will experience an increase of more than 10% of current public health costs as a
result of this cost-sharing change, as the government has committed to providing mitigation funding to
municipalities which will flow directly to health units. This mitigation funding is to allow more time for
municipalities to plan for the substantial increase in 2021.
In 2021, it is anticipated but not confirmed, that the Ministry municipal mitigation funding will no longer
be available. This would mean an approximate increase for 2021 of up to 39% from current 2019
municipal levy amounts if the budget remains status quo.
The additional 10% reduction (Administrative Adjustment) the new regional entities were expected to
find in 2020 has been put on hold as the new regional BOH entities will likely not be in effect by April 1,
2020.
So, what are the implications for our 31 municipalities? In 2020, if the current BOH approves a status
quo budget based on 2019 funding and with the provincial mitigation funding for municipalities
provided by the Ministry, municipalities will experience up to a 10% increase in levies. This 10% increase
for 2020 can be covered by the Health Unit’s municipal reserve fund (~$1.4M) if directed by the BOH
resulting in no increase in levies from 2019.
For planning purposes, the Health Unit is recommending a status quo budget for 2020. That is, no
increases to the budget. It should also be kept in mind that in April of 2020, both union contracts, OPSEU
and ONA, are open for negotiations.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UPDATES
Organizational
Safer and Positive Spaces
The Safer and Positive Spaces Committee is working towards the goal of becoming a safer, welcoming,
and supportive environment for our internal and external LGBTQ2S+ community. This work is being
approached through education, policies, relationships, and an organizational culture that affirms
difference, fosters diversity, and cultivates inclusivity.
We recognize that LGBTQ2S+ persons in our region experience challenges accessing equitable health
care and are often met with stigma, a lack of knowledge or processes that are not reflective of their
needs or person. Yet, while recognizing the opportunities we have to address this need, this work is
intended not only to consider our clients, but to impact anyone who engages with our organization –
including staff, students, volunteers, and community service providers. This has resulted in a broader
lens on what being a positive space represents. It has become an ongoing exploration of how respect
for, and inclusion of, sexual orientation, and gender diversity are reflected in an organization’s health
Page 3 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
promotion practices, staff education, forms, policies, procedures, planning, and physical spaces such as
washrooms.
An assessment of our organizational LGBTQ2S+ cultural competency was completed in August and
identified areas of strength (e.g. availability of single-stalled all gender washrooms, LGBTQ2S+
website/social media content, several inclusive Health Unit policies, and the provision of services for
gender diverse clients) and areas for growth which will guide our work over the next year.
Corporate Services
Building and Maintenance
2019 Priorities Addressed:
Participate in and support the accommodation plan for the Health Unit’s new North Bay office.
Strategic priority 4-1 (Locate the Health Unit North Bay staff and services in one building). Major
activities included:
o Outdoor maintenance contract secured for summer months for the North Bay location.
o Fire extinguishers, building sprinkler system, and fire suppression hood maintenance conducted.
o Generator maintenance for all locations conducted.
o Worked with electrician to add Dental Operatory number five to the generator in North Bay.
o Extra pest control conducted for the North Bay and Parry Sound offices.
o Provided assistance for the planning of the Association of Public Health Business Administrators
Conference.
o Worked closely with custodians to insure infection prevention and control compliance for our
custodial services.
Communications
2019 Priorities Addressed:
Media Relations
Over the summer the Health Unit released a news release on harmful blue-green algae and a Public
Service Announcement (PSA) on algae alerts and the status of beaches. On August 1, the Health Unit
shared news of a reduction in emergency department visits for dental issues since the North Bay Parry
Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) opened an oral health clinic for low-income adults in February
2018.
Over the summer, eight media requests were received relating to the following topics: Lyme disease,
harmful blue-green algae, opioids, and oral health.
Communication Plans and Campaigns
Community Sharps Bins: Communications assisted with the creation of a communications plan for the
community sharps bins. This project required consultation with individuals with lived experience, and
individuals who have children with lived experience. The consultation helped to inform the
communications plan along with other activities relating to the community sharps bins. This is a unique
project, as it is one of the first times Communications worked directly with a target population to help
inform messaging.
International Plowing Match: Communications is coordinating with Healthy Living and Communicable
Disease Control to create and design two booth spaces for the International Plowing Match, September
17 to 21, 2019. The booths focused on health activities that were pertinent to the match, including but
Page 4 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
not limited to hand washing, cleaning farm fresh eggs, cooking meat to the proper internal temperature,
and sun safety.
Social Media
IMPACT: In July, the Health Unit launched their youth-focused content called IMPACT (Inspiring
Meaningful Participation and Action in the Community Together). To promote the content, a youth
focused Instagram account and logo were created. The concept, name, and logo were all created with
consultation from the 2018-2019 youth volunteers.
Since the Instagram’s launch on July 8, 2019 the account has 75 followers and averages roughly 10 likes
per post. The account is on track to meet the goal of 100 followers in the first six months. The account
will be used by IMPACT volunteers to run their campaigns and promote their events to their target
audience.
Other Social Media Content: Throughout June, in recognition of Pride month, Communications
produced and released a series of social media posts covering topics such as pronouns, sexual health,
and stigma. All of the posts linked back to the Health Unit’s website for additional information on
LGBTQ2S+ topics. In total, the series of posts had over 8,500 impressions and received 392 reactions on
Facebook.
In late May and June, a series of paid active transportation posts focusing on bicycle safety for parents
and children were disseminated. Three of the six posts covered the rules of the road, and the other half
of the series focused on proper safety equipment. The entire campaign yielded 38,788 impressions and
over 800 reactions on Facebook.
Other topic areas covered by Communications via social media over the summer months included sun
safety, Smoke Free Ontario Act regulations, Indigenous Peoples Day, drinking water testing, cannabis,
and alcohol.
Emergency Preparedness
Collaborate with municipalities, governments, and emergency management stakeholders to
incorporate Health Unit activities into their emergency response planning and education:
o Planning for the International Plowing Match hosted in Verner in September 2019. The working
group completed the Hazard Identification Risk Analysis, created and implemented the Health
Unit incident action plan. The incident action plan demonstrated the Health Unit’s activities
before, during and, after the plowing match.
Review and revise the Emergency Management, Continuity of Operations, and Disaster Response
Plans:
o Revision of the Continuity of Operations Plan continues. Phase 3 of the project is well underway.
The plan revision project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.
o Program planning for 2020 continues. Operational documents and budget for the next fiscal
year are in draft awaiting submission and executive approval.
Information Technology
2019 Priorities Addressed
Address technology issues, manage network infrastructure for capacity and security.
o Updated all VMware (virtual server software) products to the latest version.
o Upgraded the backup system to support the new virtual environment.
o Began testing a segregated wireless network environment for reporting on public users.
Page 5 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
o Disaster recovery lab testing.
o Oral Health hardware refresh; operatory workstation upgrades completed with clinical staff
workstations is underway
o Began mobile device refresh with the management team.
o Planning to implement Microsoft Teams.
o Created a presentation on cyber security for the upcoming Association of Public Health Business
Administrators conference.
Planning and Evaluation
2019 Priorities Addressed
Population Health Assessment and Surveillance
Overdose Alert System: The Overdose Alert System has been in operation since the end of May 2019.
Between May 20 and August 31, 88 overdoses were reported through the system, including five
overdoses that resulted in death. Information about drugs involved, naloxone use, location of overdose,
date and time of overdose, as well as age and gender of the person involved is collected through the
system. Weekly reports are sent to more than 130 staff and community partners. In June, the first
quarterly report was completed and uploaded to the Health Unit’s Opioid-Related Monitoring System.
Data collected from this system has thus far resulted in one community alert due to an increase in the
number of purple heroin overdoses and reported potency of the drug.
Planning and Evaluation will be presenting information about this Overdose Alert System at the
Association of Public Health Epidemiologists of Ontario (APHEO) Conference alongside Wellington-
Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
New Data Products: In June, the Planning and Evaluation team uploaded Ontario Marginalization Index
data into the Health Unit’s Nipissing Parry Sound Public Health Atlas. Marginalization data is available in
the Atlas at municipality and neighbourhood level.
Between June and August, Planning and Evaluation posted on the Health Unit website the following new
reports:
Oral Health of Young Children in the Health Unit region (on this page)
Non-traumatic oral health-related emergency department visits among adults (on this page)
All-terrain vehicle injury-related morbidity (on this page)
Snowmobile injury-related morbidity (on this page)
Research Partnership with Nipissing First Nation: The Health Unit recently signed an agreement with
Nipissing First Nation. This agreement was created through collaboration between Nipissing First Nation
Health Services and Planning and Evaluation. The document provides guidelines for research,
surveillance activities, data collection, and reporting conducted by the Health Unit as it pertains to
people living on Nipissing First Nation (Nipissing 10 reserve). This document also provides guidelines for
collaborative research initiatives between Nipissing First Nation and the Health Unit.
Urban Health Outreach: To understand community-wide priorities and facilitate ownership of solutions
towards improving health services, decreasing barriers, and increasing use of services among those who
Page 6 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
are homeless in North Bay; VINK Consulting was hired to design, lead, and report on three community
sessions in May and June. The proposed solutions that emerged from these collective discussions
include: a coordinated approach to service access, provision of health services as ‘donations-in-kind’,
income screening, annual community service fairs, a community services hub, street outreach, shared
training across local agencies, and a cell phone program. Following analysis of the consultant’s final
report in September, identified community champions will initiate action towards the achievement of
each solution.
Supporting integration of health equity and social determinants of health within program/service
delivery
The Health Unit’s Health Equity Action Committee (HEAC), continues to work towards its long-term
outcome of “Increased Health Unit value for, and investment in health equity through allocation of
resources, organizational policies and priorities informed by equity and priority populations”.
Working groups have been established to identify and implement interventions, striving for prioritized
short-term outcomes in 2020. An organizational assessment is currently underway to better understand
health equity engagement across the Health Unit.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
The CQI Committee is now fully operational and currently recruiting additional members. Quality
improvement projects are now being logged via a Project Initiation Form on the Intranet and support
from Lean Sigma trained Committee members is available, as requested.
Locally Driven Collaborative Projects (LDCP)
Continuous Quality Improvement -Strengthening Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in Ontario’s
Public Health Units: The goals of Phase 2 of this project are to: i) build a common CQI language relevant
to public health; and, ii) collect and analyze case studies of CQI work that has been done in Ontario’s
public health units. The CQI Terminology is now complete and knowledge translation activities will be
underway this fall to disseminate the product to a variety of public health audiences. Case studies are
now complete and are currently being reviewed by each individual health unit. Once finalized, the cases
will be uploaded to Health Quality Ontario’s Quorum website, which will act as a repository for the cases
for public health professionals to access and peruse.
Organizational Planning, 2020
In June, Planning and Evaluation revised and released the Health Unit’s Organizational Operational
Document (OOD) for 2020 program and service planning. Over the summer Planning and Evaluation
staff provided planning orientation to new staff, and for those who require additional support. Four
teams have been supported in the development of program logic models.
Quality Assurance
2019 Priorities Addressed
Quality Assurance
To date in 2019, 710 documents have been issued, 133 documents have been eliminated, and 81 new
documents have been assigned/created.
Page 7 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
Policy and Procedure Writing: In September, several executive directors, managers, and staff received
training on how to write policies and procedures for compliance and consistency. This training supports
work required to align the quality management system with best practices.
Quality Issue Reports (QIR)
To date in 2019, 46 QIRs have been completed (closed), eight at level 0 (near miss), 31 at level 1
(incident did occur but no harm, loss or damage), seven at level 2. A majority of issues (23 of 46) were
classified as impacting professional/organizational standards, 21 were related to people (third party,
personnel or client), and two were related to resources (equipment or service delivery).
Clinical Services
Communicable Disease Control
Infection Prevention and Control Lapses
An infection prevention and control lapse is defined as failure to follow infection prevention and control
(IPAC) practices resulting in a risk of transmission of infectious diseases to clients, attendees, or staff
through exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or
contaminated equipment and soiled items. In 2015, the Ministry introduced the Infection Prevention
and Control Complaint Protocol and the Infection Prevention and Control Disclosure Protocol, giving
health units the mandate to investigate, manage, and report on complaints of IPAC lapses. Settings
covered by the protocols include, but are not limited to, personal service settings, childcare settings,
facilities in which regulated health professionals operate, community centres, recreational facilities,
schools, and temporary dwellings established for temporary workers. When investigating complaints in
facilities in which regulated health professionals operate, health units, where possible, collaborate with
the regulatory college of the professional involved. The Health Unit has established a Lapse Investigation
Team (LIT) that convenes to assess and determine next steps when a complaint is received.
Representation on the LIT includes staff from the Executive Team, Environmental Health, Communicable
Disease Control, and any other program that may be necessary depending on the setting involved and
the nature of the complaint. Since the introduction of the protocol, the Lapse Investigation Team at the
Health Unit has investigated sixteen IPAC complaints; three assessed as IPAC lapses required disclosure
on the Health Unit’s website. Public Health Ontario has produced a number of checklists for use by
health units when investigating IPAC complaints, which staff use when conducting inspections. The
process for investigating IPAC complaints and determining whether a lapse exists continues to be
refined and improves with each investigation that occurs.
Genetics
Divestment of the Health Unit’s Genetics program was completed September 13, 2019, and the new
regionalized model for Genetics in the northeast has been launched. As you may recall, this change was
due to a shortage of genetic counsellors throughout Ontario, especially in the north, and the Health
Unit’s difficulty recruiting and retaining the required expertise. This model has created a centralized,
sustainable Genetic program for the north.
Moving forward, Health Sciences North in Sudbury will be providing Genetic services for patients within
our Health Unit area. In an attempt to minimize the amount of travel time for patients, genetic
counsellors and a geneticist from Health Sciences North will consult with patients either virtually or in-
person using the Health Unit’s Oak Street location in North Bay whenever possible.
Page 8 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
Over the past five months, the Health Unit staff has worked with primary healthcare providers and
Health Sciences North to ensure continuity of care and a smooth transition to this new regional model
for patients within the district.
Nursing Practice
Internal Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC):
In an effort to develop a comprehensive hand care program, the internal Infection Prevention and
Control Committee in consultation with Occupational Health and Safety has been in the process of
choosing a hand moisturizer product for staff who frequently use hand hygiene products (alcohol-based
hand rubs and/or hand soap).
The regular use of lotions and creams has been shown to prevent and treat contact dermatitis
associated with hand hygiene products (Public Health Ontario, 2009), which results in interrupting the
chain of transmission of infections in the healthcare setting.
The IPAC Committee undertook a hand moisturizer trial with volunteer staff members and selected a
hand cream that is available to all staff via hand cream dispensers and individual hand cream bottles.
The hand cream is fragrance free and meets all of the best practice criteria outlined by the Provincial
Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) and Public Health Ontario.
The IPAC Committee continues to consult and collaborate with internal staff in order to address
infection control in the practice setting.
Oral Health and Vision Screening
The Oral Health program is ready to proceed with oral health and vision screenings in the schools. Last
school year a pilot project took place which consisted of vision screenings to senior kindergarten (SK)
students in 10 schools in our district. The pilot project was successful and this school year all SK
students will receive a vision screening. A partnership with third-year nursing students at Nipissing
University has been developed and four of their students will be helping with the vision portion of our
school screenings until December 2019.
The Healthy Smiles Ontario and adult dental clinic have been well attended over the summer months
with the adult wait time now at 6 months.
We have been preparing for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). The Ministry has
indicated that they are aiming for a November 1, 2019, launch for phase I of this new program.
Sexual Health / Clinical Information
Currently, we are experiencing a higher than average number of Syphilis cases within our district (10
cases from January 1 - September 15, 2019, compared to 4 cases during the same time period in 2018, a
175% increase). Internally, we are collaborating with Planning and Evaluation and Communicable
Disease Control to determine risk factors and any potential links between cases. Externally, staff are
connecting with neighbouring Health Units and the Ministry to inquire whether they are experiencing
similar trends, and to request information regarding health promotion strategies and control measures
that they have found to be effective. This information will be shared with primary healthcare providers
so that they can recommend preventative measures and routine screening for those at risk. Using this
collaborative approach, we hope to bring an end to this increasing trend.
Page 9 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
In an attempt to increase school coverage rates for mandatory vaccines, over the course of the summer
the Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) team implemented a proactive notification process for school-
aged children whose immunization records were not up to date. This strategy has resulted in a
significant uptake of vaccines over the course of the summer without the negativity associated with the
Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) assessment process. It is our intention to make this process an
annual strategy to assist in increasing our vaccine uptake and coverage rates for school-based vaccines.
As we move into the fall, the focus in the VPD program will turn to the delivery of our elementary
school-based immunization program and the annual influenza immunization and influenza vaccine
distribution process.
This year we are streamlining how our school-based immunization clinics are delivered. Last year we
faced significant challenges in relation to snow days and the need to reschedule clinics. This has had an
impact on access to office appointments. We will be piloting a new process by eliminating the winter
round of our immunization clinics and providing three immunizations at our first clinic and two at our
second clinic in the spring. This practice has been successfully implemented at many other health units.
Community Services
Environmental Health
Hazardous Algae Blooms
As of September 4, 2019, there have been seven laboratory confirmed hazardous algae blooms reported
to the Health Unit by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks. Compared to the 12 reports
received in 2018, this year (7 in 2019) represents a decrease (58%) in reporting. This is the first year that
the North Bay water front has been directly affected by hazardous algae blooms.
Working collaboratively with the City of North Bay, a news release was issued advising residents that the
beaches were not closed, rather advising swimmers to use judgement and not to swim where a visible
bloom is present.
Additionally, an education session was provided to North Bay water front staff in an attempt to clarify
messaging related to the beaches and any potential human health risks related to algae blooms. North
Bay water front staff were then better equipped to provide the general public with accurate information
to bathers so they could make an informed decision whether to swim or not.
Website and Onsite Inspection Report Disclosure
Beginning June 3, 2019, food premises have been issued a red, yellow, or green sign based on their
inspection results. As of September 11, 2019, 356 food premises have been issued the coloured signs.
The operator is required to post the sign and maintain a copy of the most recent inspection report and
provide access to the inspection report if a member of the public requests to view it.
At this time the coloured signs will be posted only in food premises that are not part of a child care
centre, nursing home, retirement home, hospital, or personal services setting. Inspection results for the
settings listed are available on the Health Unit website. The operator must also provide access to the
most recent inspection report if a member of the public requests to view it.
Page 10 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
Healthy Families
Families in the Kitchen
In 2017, the Health Unit received grant money to run a food skills development program in our Teaching
Kitchen called Families in the Kitchen. This program is for high-risk parents of young children in the
North Bay area who face challenging social and financial issues. Pre- and post-surveys show that not
only do participants improve their food knowledge and skills, they also benefit from increased parenting
knowledge, social support, and referral to other public health and community services. The Healthy
Families team was successful in renewing funding through the Nipissing District Social Services
Association Board (NDSSAB) Healthy Communities Grant and will continue to offer this program from
September 2019 to June 2020.
Normalize It: Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign
Starting October 1, 2019, life size breastfeeding cut-outs will again be popping up in various community
locations along with social media campaigns with the aim of promoting a community culture of
breastfeeding anytime, anywhere. The cut-outs have multiple purposes including increased
breastfeeding visibility, to promoting discussion about breastfeeding, and to demonstrate support as a
community for breastfeeding families. The Health Unit will also be launching a fun and interactive social
media contest that will run from October 1 – 15 to encourage families to engage with the cut-outs.
Many women report they are not confident to breastfeed in public spaces. While it is a human right to
breastfeeding anywhere, anytime, locally collected data suggests that women do not feel comfortable.
Research shows that breastfeeding mothers are more likely to succeed at reaching their breastfeeding
goals with sufficient and appropriate family and community support.
National Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated this year from October 1-7, 2019. Media launches are
planned for October 2 in Parry Sound and October 3 in North Bay.
Healthy Living
In the spirit of building inclusive engaged communities, Healthy Living is carrying out three key activities
in advance of the federal election to help build a culture of civic engagement. Staff are working with
community partners across the region who serve priority populations to co-host Vote PopUps, which are
non-partisan, simulated polling places developed by the Democratic Engagement Exchange. Vote
PopUps aim to: 1) demystify the voting process, and 2) connect people’s hopes and concerns to the act
of voting. The first Vote PopUp was held on August 29,
2019, and had participation from 360 first-year
Nipissing University students, many of whom are first-
time voters.
Healthy Living has also developed a social media
campaign to encourage voting while highlighting how
food insecurity, climate change, and mental health are
impacted by federal policy.
Finally, Healthy Living will be supporting the Nipissing
Area Food Roundtable with hosting an Eat Think Vote
federal election event. Food Secure Canada is
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September 25, 2019
coordinating these events across the country leading up to Election Day. The event will bring together
Member of Parliament candidates to discuss how federal food policy applies at the local level. Topics of
discussion will include food insecurity, sustainable food systems, and healthy school food. Event details
will be forthcoming.
Healthy Schools
It’s Time to Make an IMPACT!
Inspiring Meaningful Participation and Action in the Community Together (IMPACT) is the new home
of the youth brand at the Health Unit. Throughout the spring, our youth volunteers guided our branding
work in partnership with Communications and VS Marketing. Our volunteers told us how important it
was for the youth volunteer program to have an identity and Instagram account to better reach youth in
the North Bay Parry Sound district area. The IMPACT brand and @impact_hu on Instagram are the result
of focus groups, surveys, and actively listening to the needs of our youth.
The Instagram account officially launched on July 8, 2019. To date, the account has 75 followers, 14
posts and growing user engagement. The account is an ideal platform to share health promotion
content generated by youth volunteers and expand the reach of the Health Unit to include youth. Topics
include mental health, substance use, injury prevention, community connections, and more. We are
looking forward to exploring the full potential of this new platform in helping us to connect and impact
the health of youth in our community.
Finance
The Finance team has assisted with information gathering and Ministry of Health consultations in
connection with the North East Public Health Transformation Initiative.
In collaboration with Oral Health, a capital funding request was submitted through the Low Income
Seniors Dental Program. Work also continues in the Seniors Program related to program planning and
budgeting.
The Healthy Babies Healthy Children 2018 annual settlement and the 2019 budget were submitted as
directed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Human Resources
Employee & Labour Relations
The next Joint OPSEU/ONA/Management Committee meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2019.
Occupational Health and Safety
To demonstrate our commitment in providing for the health and safety of everyone who enters our
workplaces, we are introducing a Safe Place poster. It states:
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September 25, 2019
The Safe Place poster is custom formatted for each office location (North Bay, Parry Sound, and Burk’s
Falls). It is displayed in client-facing areas, lunchrooms, and on our occupational health and safety
bulletin boards. The poster was developed in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee,
the Safer and Positive Spaces Committee, and an ad hoc workgroup to address potential violence while
working alone in Parry Sound.
The Safe Place poster serves a number of purposes:
• It is a statement that this is a place where everyone is to be treated with respect (staff-to-staff, staff-
to-client, client-to-client), free of discrimination, bullying, harassment, and violence.
• It informs everyone that we are a scent-free space.
• It informs everyone that we take measures to address behaviour that is contrary to our standard.
• It is a reminder and support for staff who may need to address a client or co-worker who is violating
our standard.
Professional Development
Internal professional development sessions recently coordinated by Human Resources include:
Professional Development Session
General Health Unit Orientation (for new staff)
Date: June 12, 2019
Number of Participants: 15
Staffing
The following temporary positions have recently been filled. These vacancies were created because of a
retirement, increased workload, and a resignation:
Public Health Inspector, Environmental Health (1.00 FTE) from July 15, 2019 to July 2, 2020
Public Health Inspector, Environmental Health (1.00 FTE) from September 3, 2019 to December
31, 2019
Indigenous Community Health Promoter, Healthy Living (1.00 FTE) start date to
determined. This position is until March 31, 2020
The recruitment of a temporary public health dietitian and a temporary public health nurse is currently
under way:
Page 13 of 14Medical Officer of Health Report to Board of Health
September 25, 2019
There has been no net increase in permanent positions.
Approved by
Jim Chirico, H.BSc., M.D., F.R.C.P. (C), MPH
Medical Officer of Health/Executive Officer
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
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