April 20, 2017 - Board of Health Meeting

Minutes

Members Present:

Ms. Maureen Cassidy
Mr. Michael Clarke
Ms. Patricia Fulton
Mr. Jesse Helmer (Chair)
Mr. Trevor Hunter
Ms. Tino Kasi
Mr. Marcel Meyer
Mr. Ian Peer
Mr. Kurtis Smith
Ms. Joanne Vanderheyden (Vice-Chair)

Others Present:

Ms. Laura Di Cesare, Secretary-Treasurer
Ms. Elizabeth Milne, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health and Communications (Recorder)
Mr. Jordan Banninga, Manager, Strategic Projects
Ms. Jane Berardini, Public Health Nurse, Nurse-Family Partnership
Ms. Becki Bohdanowicz, Public Health Nurse, Nurse-Family Partnership
Ms. Lisa Clayton, Human Resources Manager
Ms. Shaya Dhinsa, Manager, Sexual Health
Ms. Janis Dowswell, Public Health Nurse, Nurse-Family Partnership
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager
Ms. Bernadette Garrity, Public Health Nurse, Infectious Disease
Dr. Gayane Hovhannisyan, Acting Medical Officer of Health
Ms. Shannon Hunt, Public Health Nurse, Reproductive Health
Ms. Heather Lokko, Manager, Healthy Start
Mr. John Millson, Associate Director, Finance
Ms. Alyssa Penney, Public Health Nurse, Healthy Communities and Injury Prevention
Ms. Jennifer Proulx, Manager, Nurse-Family Partnership
Ms. Jody Shepherd, Public Health Nurse, Nurse-Family Partnership
Ms. Deanna Sterling, Public Health Nurse, Reproductive Health
Ms. Suzanne Vandervoort, Director, Healthy Living

Chair Helmer called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Disclosures of Conflict(s) Of Interest

Chair Helmer inquired if there were any disclosures of pecuniary interest. None were declared.

Approval of Agenda

It was moved by Ms. Vanderheyden, seconded by Mr. Meyer, that the AGENDA for the April 20, 2017 Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Smith, that the MINUTES of the March 16, 2017 Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Committee Reports

1) Governance Committee Meeting, April 20, 2017 (Verbal Update)

Mr. Hunter summarized the reports considered at the Governance Committee meeting.

Medical Officer of Health / CEO Performance Appraisal (Report No. 006-17GC)

Mr. Hunter provided context for this report. The Medical Officer of Health / CEO Performance Appraisal sub-committee shall consist of: Mr. Jesse Helmer, Mr. Trevor Hunter, Mr. Ian Peer and Mr. Marcel Meyer.

It was moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Clarke, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 006-17GC; and
2) Strike a sub-committee to initiate the performance appraisal process for the Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer.
Carried

Request for Participation: Diversity Census (Report No. 007-17GC)

Mr. Hunter introduced the report and advised the Board that this was a walk-on report to the Governance Committee this evening.

It was moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health approve the circulation of the Diversity Census to Board of Health Members for completion. Carried

Ms. Cassidy provided further information to the Board regarding the use and purpose of the Diversity Census, which was distributed by the City of London to community agency boards and commissions.

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• Action to be taken based on the information collected by the census.
• The Federation of Canadian Municipalities goal of working toward increased diversity and representation of women in local municipal governance and on boards and commissions.
• Whether Board members must complete the survey if they receive it from multiple boards/committees on which they serve.

Verbal Update re: Board of Health Candidate Meeting

Chair Helmer advised the Committee that he, Mr. Hunter and Ms. Di Cesare met with a potential Board of Health candidate on April 3, 2017, to discuss the Board’s application process as per the Governance Committee’s mandate to meet with and provide information to those interested in applying to become new Board members.

Other Business: Policy Review (Continued)

Mr. Hunter made note of the policies to be forwarded to the Finance & Facilities Committee for review and consideration, which will include: G-180, G-190, G-210, G-240 and G-250. The policies reviewed by the Governance Committee were: G-100, G-120 and G-260.

Mr. Hunter summarized the discussion and reviewed the proposed changes to policies by the Governance Committee. The Committee referred policies G-100 and G-260 back to staff for further revision and wording changes, and recommends that the Board of Health approve policy G-120.

It was moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the Board of Health approve policy G-120. Carried

It was moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Smith, that the Board of Health receive the minutes of the March 16, 2017 Governance Committee meeting. Carried

The next Governance Committee meeting will be on June 15, 2017.

Chair Helmer drew the Board’s attention to the Health Unit’s 2016 Annual Report, a copy of which was provided at each Board member’s seat this evening, along with the Middlesex County directory.

Chair Helmer also congratulated Mr. Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator, and his spouse, on the birth of their baby boy. Mr. Tyml, who was absent this evening, operates the cameras and online streaming system for all Board meetings.

Delegation & Recommendation Reports

2) The Canadian Nurse Family Partnership Education (CaNE) Project Update (Report No. 019-17)

Ms. Jennifer Proulx, Manager, Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), gave a presentation introducing the Nurse-Family Partnership and highlighting the program’s key elements and eligibility criteria. The presentation also included an overview of the Canadian Nurse Family Partnership Education (CaNE) project. Staff are currently promoting and rolling out the program in Middlesex-London. There have been twenty referrals made to the program, with sixteen women enrolled and participating in the NFP.

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• Promotion of the program in secondary schools and on college and university campuses.
• Factors that are considered in determining socio-economic disadvantage (in order to qualify for the program). Eligibility is not only determined by income.
• Other programs and services available to those not eligible for NFP, but in need of support.
• The potential cost associated with the program once the pilot is complete.

It was moved by Ms. Vanderheyden, seconded by Mr. Meyer, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 019-17 re: The Canadian Nurse-Family Partnership Education (CaNE) Project Update for information. Carried

3) Ontario Public Health Standards Modernization – Middlesex-London Health Unit Feedback (Report No. 020-17)

Chair Helmer introduced the report and Dr. Hovhannisyan provided a summary of feedback gathered following the review of the Standards Modernization document and consultation sessions. The key findings outlined in this report (and appendix) are based on integrated feedback from both of these sessions.

Dr. Hovhannisyan highlighted some of the key feedback items, including positive feedback, challenges and concerns, and areas requiring further clarification.

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• The experiences of Board members and Health Unit staff who attended the consultation at the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Winter Symposium meeting and the consultation in St. Thomas on March 24.
• The financial concerns and impacts that modernized standards may have on the Health Unit’s operating budget.
• The Ministry’s accountability for resource allocation to fill in the gaps when new services are required, and how staff will work with the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to assist in filling such gaps.
• How and when the Ministry is expected to respond to feedback; when guidance documents will be produced; and the concept of requesting implementation dates to be transitional to minimize impact on staff, services and budgets.

It was moved by Mr. Meyer, seconded by Ms. Fulton, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 020-17 for information; and
2) Approve and forward the feedback, with minor amendments prepared by the Middlesex-London Health Unit, to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for their consideration.
Carried

Information Reports

4) Summary Information Report, April 2017 (Report No. 022-17)

Development and Implementation of a Strategy to Address HIV Epidemic and Related Issues in London

Dr. Hovhannisyan introduced the update on HIV and requested a change to the recommendation as prepared by staff. Dr. Hovhannisyan also requested Board approval to forward a revised version of this report to Deputy Premier Deb Matthews to supply more information about MLHU’s request that the Province provide support and resources to address the HIV epidemic and related issues in London.

Dr. Hovhannisyan announced that the Health Unit was successful in securing a grant through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund.

Ms. Shaya Dhinsa, Manager, Sexual Health, answered questions about the grant, which will assist MLHU in enhancing resources to meet community needs and allow staff to go out and work directly with clients in the street. The Health Unit will receive $600,000 dollars directly, which will fund one full-time outreach worker and one 0.5 program evaluator. The funding will also enhance the work and money that had been reallocated to address the HIV and Hepatitis C epidemic through the Program Budget and Marginal Analysis process.

Discussion ensued on the following items:
• The Health Unit’s organization of a think tank to bring experts together on May 12 to discuss HIV epidemics and answer questions, establish additional partnerships and investigate matters further.
• The body of evidence surrounding supervised injection sites (SIS); how close Middlesex-London is to establishing safe injection sites; and an update on the current work taking place with regard to SIS, including: engaging stakeholders, developing a model, with local leadership groups, to work on next steps and establishing an advisory committee on public consultation.
• The importance of noting that SIS is just one part of the harm-reduction solution, and that staff are working with the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) to implement harm-reduction services that will allow them to address the epidemic in the wider community.
• A summary of what will be included in the draft proposal to Deputy Premier Matthews.
• The importance of getting this work done sooner rather than later to mitigate the spread of infection in the community.

It was moved by Ms. Vanderheyden, seconded by Mr. Meyer, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 021-17 re: Development and Implementation of a Strategy to Address HIV Epidemic and Related Issues in London for information; and
2) Direct staff to send a revised version of this summary report to Deputy Premier Deb Matthews.
Carried

Further discussion ensued on the local leadership group, its composition and how the community can be involved in the next steps, which will include hiring a local agency to conduct community consultations to maintain an understanding of the local context.

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Clarke, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 022-17 re: Summary Information Report, April 2017 for information. Carried

5) Acting Medical Officer of Health / Acting Chief Executive Officer Activity Report, April 2017 (Report No. 023-17)

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 023-17 re: Acting Medical Officer of Health / Acting Chief Executive Officer Activity Report, April 2017.
Carried

Other Business

Next Meetings:

• Next Finance & Facilities Committee meeting: Thursday, May 4, 2017 @ 9:00 a.m.

The Finance & Facilities Committee will hold in-camera meetings on Thursday, May 18, and Friday, May 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to discuss matters regarding a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the Middlesex-London Board of Health.

• Next Board of Health meeting: Thursday, May 18, 2017 @ 7:00 p.m.

• Next Governance Committee meeting: Thursday, June 15, 2017 @ 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Meyer noted that Middlesex Municipal Day will be held on April 27, 2017, in Ilderton, and any Board member wishing to attend may do so. The Health Unit hosted the event last year.

Correspondence

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Ms. Vanderheyden, that the Board of Health receive item a) and items c) through k). Carried

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Ms. Vanderheyden, that the Board of Health endorse item b). Carried

It was moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Board of Health take a five-minute recess. Carried

Confidential

At 8:49 p.m., Chair Helmer invited a motion to move in-camera to discuss matters regarding employee negotiations and identifiable individuals, and to consider the confidential minutes of the March 16 meeting.

At 8:49 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Mr. Hunter, that the Board of Health move in-camera to discuss matters regarding employee negotiations and identifiable individuals, and to consider the confidential minutes of the March 16 meeting. Carried

At 8:49 p.m., all visitors and Health Unit staff, except for Ms. Laura Di Cesare, Ms. Lisa Clayton and Ms. Elizabeth Milne, left the meeting.

At 10:04 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Vanderheyden, seconded by Mr. Meyer, that the Board of Health rise and return to public session. Carried

At 10:04 p.m., the Board of Health returned to public session.

Adjournment

At 10:04 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Vanderheyden, seconded by Mr. Meyer, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

JESSE HELMER
Chair

LAURA DI CESARE
Secretary-Treasurer