Further to the Board meeting of 2007 March 8, the Health Unit response to the draft Ontario Public Health Standards was submitted.  Our submission has been acknowledged by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  The Ministry has indicated they will be reviewing the submissions from health units as well as other provincial stakeholders.   A summary of the responses with possible changes to the draft standards is expected, but the Ministry has not outlined its timeline.

As part of the planning process for the upcoming West Nile Virus season, I met with our municipal partners on 2007 March 21.  The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit experienced nine cases of West Nile virus in 2006, along with positive virus testing in birds and mosquito pools.  The nine human cases in 2006 compare with 23 cases reported in 2005 and 3 cases reported in 2004.  Despite the decrease in cases in 2006, the number of cases reported in 2005 continue to give Windsor-Essex the highest number of cases per population in Windsor-Essex.  Based on this information I believe it is necessary to continue a mosquito control program in Windsor-Essex for the 2007 season.  A request for proposals for a mosquito control program has been circulated, and I am in the process of reviewing the submissions with our municipal partners.

On 2007 April 5, I met with the Windsor-Essex Health System Coordination Working Group.  The working group is composed of the CEOs of the major health organizations in Windsor-Essex County.  The majority of those health organizations are part of the Erie-St. Clair LHIN.  As a part of the developing LHIN process, the organizations in the working group are going to be participating in a process entitled ‘Developing a Common Strategic Planning Framework’.  Although the Health Unit is not part of the LHIN organization, this provides, I believe, a good opportunity to work with the organizations as part of a mutual strategic planning process.  Given the current review of the Ontario Public Health Standards, the opportunity to participate in a strategic planning process is particularly important.  Another benefit is this process is being managed by Mr. Roger Bryant of KPMG.  A copy of the planning outlined has been attached to my report.  Members of the Board may recall that in February 2003, Mr. Bryant began working with the Health Unit in a strategic planning process. 

The trial of R. v. Carl Leone has begun.  The first weeks of the trial have consisted of hearings to rule on the admissibility of evidence.  As noted in media reports, Mr. Leone is charged with assault for having sexual intercourse with a number of partners without disclosing his HIV status.  Staff of the Health Unit has been involved in this case going back almost ten years.  Ms. Bennett, Director, Health Protection, has been called to testify, and I have been subpoenaed to testify but have not yet been called.  The records of the Health Unit involving this case have been subpoenaed, and the judge in the case has ruled that the records are admissible.  The trial is expected to continue for several months.

Please note that registration forms for the alPHa conference in Windsor, June 10-12, are included in your Board package.  I would urge all Board members to attend as much of the conference as possible.  The last time the alPHa conference was in Windsor was the summer of 1989.  This will be an excellent opportunity to meet Board members of other health units from around the province.

I would like to remind Members of the Board that nominations and elections for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer are scheduled for the April meeting.  Following the election, Ms. Dana Young of Clarks Barristers and Solicitors will be making a presentation on Board Governance and Liability.

I would also like to remind Board members that the April meeting will be held in Essex and is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.