Public well being restructuring plans immediate issues

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Restructuring of public well being items could quickly be a actuality, Haldimand-Norfolk’s appearing medical officer of well being says.

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“There have been rumours for years, ” Dr. Matt Strauss mentioned at Monday’s assembly of the Haldimand-Norfolk Well being and Social Companies Advisory Committee. “They had been placed on the again burner throughout the pandemic however have intensified for the reason that final provincial election.

“The rumours had been that the general public well being items can be reorganized and consolidated.”

It has been presumed that there might be fewer medical officers of well being within the province following restructuring, Strauss mentioned.

Strauss mentioned it has been confirmed to him and to different medical officers of well being that the ultimate proposal for restructuring is with the Minister of Well being and Lengthy-Time period Care – Sylvia Jones.

Strauss hinted that he won’t be an appearing medical officer of well being following the restructuring.

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“For myself, I’ve completed what I got here to do and I’m fairly comfy with the potential for returning to the ICU – intensive care unit,” Strauss, who has practised as an intensivist/internist and medical director of vital care at Guelph Memorial Hospital.

Whereas awaiting the announcement from the ministry, Strauss mentioned he’ll proceed to advocate for public well being restructuring that adheres to the group’s values and preserves the chance for group suggestions.

Earlier experiences have mentioned the provincial authorities’s plan would consolidate 35 public well being items throughout Ontario into 10. It was reported that the transfer would lead to financial savings of $200 million.

Haldimand County Councillor Bernie Corbett mentioned the restructuring of public well being items raises some attention-grabbing questions.

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“Are we going to be swallowed up by the bigger municipalities and can we’ve a voice for our municipality?” Corbett requested. “That’s a significant concern as a result of I can see, maybe, 25 members from Hamilton and Brantford and one from our county.

“That’s a really unfair system.”

Strauss mentioned he shares these issues and mentioned it’s one which has been validated over the pandemic interval.

“This isn’t a criticism of the province or the federal authorities,” Strauss mentioned. “When the pandemic erupted, all the things was on fireplace all of sudden and I don’t suppose there was a variety of thought at Queen’s Park (with regard to) migrant farm employees,” Strauss mentioned. “Whereas, that’s one thing that was prime of thoughts to the folks on this group.”

The pandemic is an instance of a public well being situation that wants an method that meets the group’s wants and values and produces a greater outcome, Strauss mentioned.

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“I don’t suppose it (public well being restructuring) might be good for smaller communities like Haldimand and Norfolk,” Strauss mentioned.

Smaller communities want to have the ability to chart their very own course that’s in step with their values and desires, he added.

Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady mentioned she is effectively conscious of the problem and has been making an attempt to get extra data on public well being restructuring.

“I’m hesitant to say a lot till I see the precise plan,” Brady mentioned. “However I’ve the identical fears, that we’re going to get swallowed up and because the native MPP that’s going to be my job to be on the ministry’s door and say ‘we would like an equal voice on this,’” Brady mentioned.

The group has been fortunate, of late, to have a well being board that understands what farmers and the employees undergo and the board has been capable of adapt to satisfy native wants, Brady mentioned.

Brady questioned if Haldimand-Norfolk turns into half of a bigger entity would the pliability nonetheless be there to adapt to what the group wants to supply Ontario’s meals, Brady mentioned.

The Ontario Public Well being Affiliation, which represents public well being and group well being professionals, has additionally expressed issues concerning the province’s restructuring plans.

Amongst different issues, the affiliation has known as for native autonomy for public well being.

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