Report No. 043-12

TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM: Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health
DATE:   2012 March 22

Medical Officer Of Health Activity Report – March

Recommendation

It is recommended that Report No. 043-12 re Medical Officer of Health Activity Report – March be received for information.

The following report highlights activities of the Medical Officer of Health since the last Board of Health meeting.

On February 21, 2012, City Council finalized its 2012 Budget Approval Process. This was a lengthy session, ending at approximately midnight. Both the Medical Officer of Health and the Director, Finance and Operations, Mr. John Millson, attended the meeting, the outcome of which is summarized in Board of Health Report No. 042-12 (this agenda).

Subsequently, Board Chair, Ms. Viola Poletes Montgomery, and the Medical Officer of Health met with The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, March 9, 2012. This was an opportunity to discuss the 2012 Board of Health funding situation including the City Council resolution calling for the Minister to appoint an assessor under Section 82 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to assess the Board. The Minister’s decision on this matter is highlighted in Board of Health Report No. 042-12.

Work continues on the implementation of the Board of Health Strategic Plan. An All Management meeting was held to finalize outcomes for the Information Technology, Communications, Health Eating and Physical Activity, and Health Inequities Strategic Achievement Groups (SAG). All SAGs have met on at least one occasion to begin implementation of their assigned tasks.

The Medical Officer of Health attended a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care meeting of Medical Officers of Health to discuss tobacco control issues. One important focus of this meeting was the issue of contraband tobacco. An important strategy in this regard is the implementation of the Supporting Smoke Free Ontario By Reducing Contraband Tobacco Act. This Act will be the subject of a future Board of Health report.

Other meetings involving the Medical Officer of Health since the last Board of Health meeting included:

Two meetings of the Coaching Boys to Men Violence Prevention Working Group; participation in 2 Community Medicine Seminars with 3^rd year Western University medical students; attendance at a City of London Finance and Boards and Commissions meeting; attendance at the International Women’s Day Breakfast sponsored by the London Abused Women’s Centre; and attendance at a Regional HIV/AIDS Committee (RHAC) Board meeting.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC

Medical Officer of Health