Minutes - June 20, 2019 - Board of Health Meeting

Members Present:

Ms. Trish Fulton (Chair)
Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Vice-Chair)
Mr. Ian Peer
Mr. Matt Reid
Mr. John Brennan
Mr. Michael Clarke
Ms. Elizabeth Peloza

Regrets:
Ms. Aina DeViet
Ms. Tino Kasi
Ms. Kelly Elliott

Others Present:

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Secretary-Treasurer
Ms. Elizabeth Milne, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health and Communications Coordinator (Recorder)
Ms. Laura Di Cesare, Director, Healthy Organization
Mr. Jordan Banninga, Manager, Program Planning and Evaluation
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications
Ms. Heather Lokko, Director, Healthy Start
Ms. Maureen Rowlands, Director, Healthy Living
Mr. Stephen Turner, Director, Environmental Health and Infectious Diseases
Mr. Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator
Ms. Kendra Ramer, Manager, Strategic Projects
Mr. Joe Belancic, Manager, Procurement and Operations
Ms. Cynthia Bos, Manager, Human Resources
Mr. Jeff Cameron, Stronghold Services
Ms. Nicole Gauthier, Manager, Privacy, Governance and Risk
Mr. Brian Glasspoole, Manager, Finance
Ms. Suzanne Vandervoort, Manager, Healthy Babies Healthy Children
Ms. Isabel Resendes, Manager, Healthy Babies Healthy Children
Ms. Debbie Shugar, Manager, Reproductive Health
Ms. Jody Paget, Manager, Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Ms. Judy Green, Manager, Emergency Preparedness

Chair Fulton called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

Disclosures of Conflict(s) of Interest

Chair Fulton inquired if there were any disclosures of conflicts of interest. None were declared.

Approval of Agenda

Chair Fulton noted the addition of a program update for the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Team, which was included in the agenda as item #8.

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the AGENDA for the June 20, 2019 Board of Health meeting be approved as amended. Carried

Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the MINUTES of the May 16, 2019 Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Mr. Peer noted that the June 6 FFC minutes were dated June 7. The minutes will be amended to reflect the correct date of the meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Brennan, that the draft MINUTES of the June 6, 2019 Finance & Facilities Committee meeting be received as amended. Carried

It was moved by Ms. Peloza, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the MINUTES of the March 21, 2019 Governance Committee meeting be received. Carried

Delegations and Reports

June 6, 2019 Finance & Facilities Committee Meeting Update (Report No. 045-19)

Mr. Reid provided an update from the June 6, 2019 FFC meeting, reviewing the following reports for the Board’s consideration:

2018 Audited Financial Statements for Middlesex-London Health Unit (Report No. 019-19FFC)

Ms. Fulton commended the staff, and the Health Unit in general, for their ongoing work in regularly achieving a clean audit for such a large organization with such a large budget.

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health approve the audited financial statements for the Middlesex-London Health Unit as of December 31, 2018, as appended to Report No. 019-19FFC re: “2018 Draft Financial Statements.” Carried

2018 Revised Budget – MOHLTC Approved Grants (Report No. 020-19FFC)

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health:
1) Approve Report No. 020-19FFC re: “Funding and Service Level Agreements Review”; and
2) Recommend that the Board of Health Chair write a letter to the Minister of Health identifying issues with the one-time approval process.
Carried

Mr. Reid also reported that the Finance & Facilities Committee received the following reports for information:

• Bylaw and Policy Review (Report No. 021-19FFC)
• Contract Award – Medical Supplies (Report No. 022-19FFC)
• Contract Award – Oral Contraceptives Information for Participating Health Units (Report No. 023-19FFC)
• Contract Award – Oral Health Supplies (Report No. 024-19FFC)

Governance Committee Verbal Update – June 20, 2019

Chair Fulton provided a verbal update from the June 20, 2019 Governance Committee meeting, reviewing reports that were received by the Committee for information:

• Annual Privacy Program Update (Report No. 008-19GC)
• Joint Occupational Health and Safety Annual Report – June 2019 (Report No. 009-19GC)
• Q2 2019 Activity Report – Strategic Projects (Report No. 010-19GC)
• 2019 Board of Health Self-Assessment Results (Report No. 012-19GC)

Reports brought forward for the Board’s consideration and decision this evening were also reviewed:

Governance Policy Review and Development (Report No. 011-19GC)

It was moved by Ms. Fulton, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the Board of Health approve the governance by-laws and policies appended to this report. Carried

2018 Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer Performance Appraisal (Report No. 013-19GC)

Chair Fulton advised that the main purpose of this report was to form a sub-committee to proceed with the Medical Officer of Health/CEO performance appraisal.

She further advised that the sub-committee can consist of both Governance Committee and Board of Health members. For the 2018 Medical Officer of Health/CEO performance appraisal, the sub-committee shall consist of:

1. Ms. Aina De Viet (Governance Committee Chair, Middlesex County representative)
2. Ms. Trish Fulton (Board Chair, provincial representative)
3. Mr. Ian Peer (provincial representative)
4. Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Vice Chair, City of London representative)
5. Mr. Matt Reid (City of London representative)

Chair Fulton noted that the sub-committee would welcome other members of the Board of Health should they wish to join, and that all sub-committee meetings are open to all Board members as well.

Chair Fulton mentioned that the next meeting for the Governance Committee will be held on September 19, 2019.

Program Update: Best Beginnings Team

Ms. Lokko introduced Ms. Suzanne Vandervoort and Ms. Isabel Resendes, Program Managers (East and West teams), Healthy Babies Healthy Children.

Ms. Vandervoort and Ms. Resendes provided a program update for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, noting some of the program’s key highlights.

Discussion ensued about the number of births at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), and how babies are screened at LHSC by Health Unit staff versus how babies are screened by hospital staff at other hospitals.

Intent to Reconsider Eligibility Criteria for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program (Report No. 046-19)

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• If the new criteria proposed for the program would exclude certain previous participants.
• An overview of some of the supports for which those who screen without risk would qualify.
• The percentage of women that would be excluded from this program should the eligibility criteria be updated.
• Inequities and issues within the current risk criteria and screening system that are resulting in the wait-listing of some of the higher-risk cases that the Health Unit could be taking on.
• Whether any cost savings will result from adjusting the program criteria.
• Whether this program, which is nominally 100% funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, will be affected by the provincial budget cuts that will take effect on April 1, 2020.

It was moved by Mr. Clarke, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 046-19 re: “Intent to Reconsider Eligibility Criteria for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program” for information; and
2) Endorse staff communicating with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services regarding MLHU’s intent to reconsider eligibility criteria for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program.
Carried

Program Update: Reproductive Health

Ms. Lokko introduced Ms. Debbie Shugar, Manager, Reproductive Health Team.

Ms. Shugar provided an update on the Reproductive Health Team, including highlights from the Team’s four key work areas: preconception health, healthy pregnancies, preparation for parenthood, and breastfeeding/infant feeding. Ms. Shugar also discussed the prenatal e-learning program.

Prenatal Health Planning Initiative: Update on Implementation of Recommendations (Report No. 047-19)

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 047-19 re: “Prenatal Health Planning Initiative: Update on Implementation of Recommendations” for information. Carried

Review of Public Health Services in Middlesex County – Action Planning (Report No. 048-19)

Mr. Banninga introduced and provided context for the report, including an update on the findings and action plans prepared for each of the recommendations outlined in the Middlesex County Public Health Services Review.

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• Whether any feedback or findings had indicated that additional service delivery sites were required in Middlesex County.
• Delegations to municipal councils and County Council.
• An emphasis on digital learning.
• The purpose of the delegations to municipal councils.

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. Peloza, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 048-19 re: “Review of Public Health Services in Middlesex County – Action Planning” for information. Carried

Program Update: Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Mr. Turner introduced Ms. Jody Paget, Manager, Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD), who provided an overview of the VPD Program.

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• Suspension notices issued to schools (whether the number is consistent from year to year, or if it has increased in recent years due to vaccine hesitancy).
• How the VPD team is promoting vaccination or making the case for vaccination in the wake of recent vaccine hesitancy.
• If the team has achieved the goal of screening all elementary and secondary school grades.
• How many years the team has been screening elementary and secondary school students.
• The process for reporting vaccinations.
• Who is responsible for following up on the suspension notices and how staff ensures that kids get back to school in a timely manner.

Program Update: Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Turner introduced Ms. Judy Green, who provided an update for the Emergency Preparedness program. Mr. Turner noted that this program is now considered a foundational standard, allowing emergency planning to be embedded into all programs to ensure that all Health Unit program personnel are well versed in emergency preparedness should an emergency occur.

Ms. Green provided a high-level overview of the Emergency Management program mandate at MLHU.

Discussion ensued about the other agencies that MLHU works with for training and education purposes.

Summary Information Report for June (Report No. 049-19)

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. Peloza, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 049-19 re: “Summary Information Report for June” for information.
Carried

Medical Officer of Health/CEO Activity Report for June (Report No. 050-19)

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 050-19 re: “Medical Officer of Health Activity Report for June” for information. Carried

Correspondence

It was moved by Mr. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the Board of Health receive correspondence items a) through x). Carried

Dr. Mackie introduced and provided context for correspondence item y)

It was moved by Mr. Clarke, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health endorse correspondence item y) re: Return on Investment – Early Childhood Development. Carried

Dr. Mackie answered questions relating to how staff members review correspondence and determine which items should be endorsed or simply received by the Board of Health.

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health endorse correspondence item z) re: Request to permit EMS to distribute Naloxone Kits. Carried

Other Business

Chair Fulton reviewed the upcoming meeting dates:
• Next Finance & Facilities Committee meeting: Thursday, July 4 @ 9:00 a.m.
• Next Board of Health meeting: Wednesday, June 26 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Next Governance Committee meeting: Thursday, September 19 @ 6:00 p.m.
• Next Relocation Advisory Committee meeting: Wednesday, June 26 @ 5:00 p.m.

Confidential

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health approve the confidential minutes of the May 16, 2019 Board of Health meeting. Carried

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health receive the confidential minutes of the March 21, 2019 Governance Committee meeting. Carried

Adjournment

At 8:34 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Brennan, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

TRISH FULTON
Chair