A number of significant things have happened since the production of the Board report, which I would like to add as an addendum.

From January 31, 2007 through February 2, 2007, I attended the combined Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care orientation along with the Council of Medical Officers of Health meeting and the annual alPHa meeting.  The orientation meeting provided a background presentation of the recent changes to the Ministry and Public Health System in Ontario.  This information will be integrated into the material presented in the Board Orientation package.  It was an excellent opportunity to meet the recently appointed members of the Public Health Branch.  Dr. George Pasut, the Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, indicated that he will be remaining in his position at least through June of 2007.  The recruitment plan for a new Chief Medical Officer of Health is expected to be finalized within the next several weeks.  Dr. Pasut was able to bring a personal message from Dr. Sheila Basrur.  Dr. Basrur advises she is currently feeling well, looks forward to getting on with her chemotherapy, and thanks all of the members of the public health community for their cards, letters, and expressions of support.

At the orientation, Ministry staff confirmed the consultation period for the Mandatory Programs review.  The review is going to commence with a webinar which is booked for February 12, 2007 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  While the new standards will not be released at the web teleconference, the background information on the review and consultation session will be discussed.  The draft of the new public health standards, along with its accompanying e-survey will be available on the website beginning February 19, 2007.  The consultation period is confirmed from February 19, 2007 through March 9, 2007.  A single consolidated response from each health unit is requested by March 9, 2007.  As I noted previously in my report, this will give the Board the opportunity to formally review the response prior to and during the next scheduled Board meeting on March 8, 2007, prior to its final submission on March 9, 2007.  Dr. Pasut confirmed that it is expected that the new mandatory programs standards will remain revenue neutral.

The Ministry has also announced a chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear education and training session for health unit staff in Mississauga on March 5 and 6, 2007.   The session is billed as a train-the-trainer session, and I plan to attend.

The Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) reviewed a number of ongoing issues, including medical officer of health recruitment, the final Campbell Report recommendations, Mandatory Programs Review, and the Health Systems Improvements Bill.  There were specific presentations on the Healthy Babies/Healthy Children/Early Years Program, contraband tobacco, Bill 28 (mandatory blood testing), and the Social and Economic Determinants of Health.

The alPHa meeting on Friday, February 2, 2007 focused on a seminar entitled “Building Healthy Communities’ which explored the health effects of (urban) environments.

On Monday, February 5, 2007, the Director of Health Protection, Ms. Deb Bennett was informed of a potential problem at 737 Ouellette.  She received a report that there was a problem with a power outage in the building.  Public health staff investigated, and after several hours it was apparent that there had been a problem with power to the building extending back to the evening of Saturday, February 3, 2007.  After consultation with City Building Services and Social Services, it was apparent that residents in the entire building could be at risk.  A door-to-door assessment of residents was begun on the evening of February 5, 2007 as well as a monitoring of the attempts to restore power to the building.  On the morning of February 6, 2007, a review was held with City staff, and it was apparent that power to the building could not be immediately restored.  In the face of continued cold weather, this lack of power presented a serious risk to all residents of the building.  After consultation with Windsor Fire Services, Building Services, and Social Services, I ordered the residents evacuated and the building closed.  I would like to commend all of the City agencies, including Social Services, Victim Services, Windsor Transit, and the Red Cross for their prompt and compassionate response to this potentially disastrous situation.  It is my understanding that two residents were taken to hospital on the evening of Saturday, February 3, 2007, however, since we became involved on February 5, 2007, no health problems have been reported to us.  As of today, February 8, 2007, power has been restored and it is gradually being distributed to the apartments.  It is anticipated that residents will begin returning home today.

I must compliment the efforts of Ms. Deb Bennett, Director of Health Protection.  She initially received the first report of this incident on February 5, 2007 at approximately 1500 hours and worked literally 24 hours straight through to resolve this situation.  Her efforts were particularly appreciated, as I was ill at the time and was only able to maintain contact with the situation through cell phone.

On a personal note, many of you are aware that I have been for many years a reserve officer in the Canadian Forces Health Services.  Last December I retired as Commanding Officer of 23 Field Ambulance and as a lieutenant colonel in the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserve after 26 years of service.  One of the benefits of my association with the Canadian Forces was the opportunity to provide direct clinical care and thereby maintain my clinical skills.  In order to continue to maintain my clinical skills as a physician, I will be covering a weekend shift at the Tecumseh Urgent Care Clinic.  As I did with my service with the Canadian Forces, my first call is to the Health Unit, and I will continue to carry the Health Unit pager, and the Health Unit will, of course, have first call on my services.