
There are a lot of uncertainties surrounding the Windsor-Essex Health Unit and members of Essex County Council want to know what’s ahead.
Last Wednesday night the health unit presented its annual report and while a lot of information was given about existing programs, queries included funding and the actual future of the Health Unit itself.
“It was said last year on the board of health that we are probably the lowest resourced health unit in all of Ontario. Is that still true?” asked Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue.
Local health unit CEO Dr. Kenneth Blanchette answered that funding is per capita and Windsor-Essex is one of the lowest. He added that the provincial government is doing a funding review.
Prue, along with Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley, Warden Hilda MacDonald and Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti are the four county representatives on the local health unit.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara, who sat on the health board for 24 years, said a year ago he was very concerned about the financial cuts to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
“Are you meeting the challenges to provide the services? Are you meeting the minimal standards?” asked McNamara.
“Absolutely we are pressured,” said Blanchette. “Because of the reduction of staffing we had to do in the fall, there have been some elements put at the minimal amount.”
Although he would not elaborate on what services have been reduced, Blanchette went on to say that the health unit, besides providing its regular programming, is now focusing on emergency preparedness. He also said that they are trying to demonstrate the value of the health unit.
Program director Kristy McPhee added that the demand for services continues to go up but, “we aren’t giving the maximum from a standards perspective.”
During the presentation, it was pointed out that as part of a review, the province is seeking the support of boards of health by exploring opportunities to shift some roles and responsibilities to a regional or provincial level within a few months from now.
“I know what’s potentially coming in January 2025. In the meantime, you have the mandatory programs that you have to do,” said McNamara.
Some of those mandatory programs, as pointed out by McPhee include food inspections, beach water quality testing, safe schools, immunizations and substance abuse and injury prevention.
“There are some unique aspects that we do have in Windsor-Essex that are distinct from other parts of the province.”
And although she did not specifically say what those were, McPhee noted that of the 163 schools in the region, 30 of them are considered to be high risk.
Funding and future of Health Unit discussed at county level
By Fred Groves
Comments