The bid to “modernize” public health and emergency health services, as proposed by the Ontario Progressive Conservative government, had its official “kick off” this week.
Hastings County CAO Jim Pine, along with the Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Health, Allyson Blair, and Ontario Chief Medical officer of Health Dr. David Williams are undertaking the review.
They took part in a webinar Tuesday outlining just how the process will work.
Pine tells Quinte News two discussion papers were released, launching consultations around the province.
He says they can’t visit all 446 municipalities.
Hastings-Quinte Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Hastings-Quinte Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha tells Quinte News the local service could help the review, “This paramedic service has a lot to offer, the innovative side, research side. We’ve done studies regarding dispatching efficiencies where we could help the Ministry of Health in making that a better system”
Pine says the panel will make use of the Rural Municipal Association Conference in January.
The provincial government had announced cuts in both public health and emergency services earlier, but then decided on this review.
Pine expects a final report will go to the Ministry of Health in the spring of 2020.
