Report No. 056-12

TO:  Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM:  Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health
DATE:     2012 April 19 

Bed Bug Resource Program – Funding Update

Recommendation

It is recommended that staff be directed to advise each community partner involved in the Bed Bug Resource Program that provincial funding for this initiative has ended effective April 1, 2012; therefore, the Middlesex-London Health Unit must reduce its level of involvement in the program.

Background 

As part of a province-wide initiative, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) provided one-time funding to this Health Unit in the amount of $180,000 to implement a Bed Bug Resource Program aimed at addressing an increase in bed bug infestations and associated requests for assistance. The funding was for the period June 2011 to March 2012. In January of this year, the Board received Report No. 004-12, describing the development and implementation of the program. In accordance with the conditions of the funding, the funds were directed to two streams of activity: education & outreach and support for vulnerable populations. 

The Environmental Health Team used the funding to hire a full time health promoter who was vital in establishing a Community Bed Bug Working Group with community partners, including the City of London and Middlesex County; developing and implementing an education and outreach program; responding to requests for information and assessments; and coordinating the provision of assistance to vulnerable populations in preparing for pest control applications in their housing units. A summary report of the Bed Bug Resource Program is nearing completion and will be provided to the Board at a future meeting.

Funding Extension Request

In order to continue the Bed Bug Resource Program beyond March 31, 2012, MOHLTC funding would have to be extended. After considering Report No. 004-12 at the January 19, 2012, Board of Health meeting, the Board voted to petition the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to include Bed Bug funding in the base budgets of Ontario Health Units, i.e., to provide this funding on an ongoing basis. The Minister’s response to this request, attached as Appendix A(PDF 41.7KB), advised that the MOHLTC cannot commit to additional bed bug funding at this time.

Conclusion

Without continued funding, the health promoter’s contract was unable to be extended, education and promotion activities have had to be reduced, and this source of financial assistance to vulnerable populations for the purposes of eliminating bed bug infestations will no longer be available. As a result, until additional funds are made available, health unit staff will no longer be able to provide the same level of service and support to community partners in helping to prevent and control bed bug infestations in the community. Staff members recommend that community partners be advised of the suspension of funding and consequential reduction inHealth Unit involvement so they may adjust their activities accordingly.

This report was written by Mr. Wally Adams, Director, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC

Medical Officer of Health