Right, Prince Edward Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmell, with medical resident Dr. Peter Oglaza on the left, September 6, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Hasting Prince Edward’s Medical Officer of Health is “disappointed” in a report recommendation to cut Ontario’s boards of health from 36 to 14.
The provincial government-appointed panel studied how public health can work more closely in the overall health system.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmell told the board Wednesday the panel was also to address the fact there are a number boards that are very small, some under 100,000 population. The local Public Health board serves a population of about 150,000.
“I think it’s reasonable to look at that, but this is only one option and it’s not ministry policy. Its a document that has been put forward by an expert panel.”
Gemmell says there should be more than one option for boards to consider.
He says, “We have to recognize the legislative timeline for this is extremely short. For this proposal to see the light of day there would have to be major pieces of legislation that would have to be changed. If you were a political strategist you might think this would come with the next government, after the next election.”
Following the meeting, Gemmell was asked whether or not medical officers of health are needed in every health unit.
He says it’s 50 years since the last restructuring and it took years for it to be completed, so it’s unlikely it could happen in the next seven months.
And, Gemmell says “the experience of school boards shows amalgamations don’t save money.”
A committee will study the matter and report back to the board.
