The Board of Health of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit met at 4:00 p.m. at the GUELPH Office.
Members in attendance were: Mr. George Bridge (Chair), Ms. Christine Billings, Mr. Guy Gardhouse, Mr. Rodrigo Goller, Ms. June Hofland, Ms. Nancy MacDonald, Mr. Ralph Manktelow, Mr. Lambert Otten and Mr. Chris White.
Member(s) with regrets: Mr. Allan Alls.
Ex-officio member(s) in attendance: Dr. Mercer, Medical Officer of Health & CEO.
Staff members in attendance were: Mr. Chris Beveridge, Ms. Rita Isley, Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum (Associate Medical Officer of Health), Mr. Kyle Wilson, Mr. Chuck Ferguson, Ms. Karen Mulvey, Ms. Jennifer MacLeod, Mr. Emerson Rajaram, Ms. Diane Wallace, Mr. Shawn Zentner, Mr. Charles Wright, Ms. Kyley Alderson, Mr. Michael Whyte, Ms. Patty Montague and Ms. Sylvia Muir (Recording Secretary).
Guests in attendance were: NONE.
1.0 Call to Order
G. Bridge, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
WDGPH Staff Day is being held on (Wed) November 27, 2019, at the Italian Canadian Club, with a start time of 9:30 a.m. As in previous years, the BOH was asked to donate money for a Gift Basket for the event. Monies to be provided to Dr. Mercer or S. Muir.
2.0 Disclosure(s) of Pecuniary Interest
There are no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared at this time.
3.0 Approval of Minutes
MOTION: “To approve the Minutes of September 4, 2019, as presented.”
Moved: J. Hofland
Seconded: C. Billings
CARRIED
(4:15) R. Goller arrived.
4.0 MOH Updates
Vaping (Update)
- Dr. Mercer spoke to the October 2019 edition of Vaping Facts entitled “What we know about the health risks of vaping”.
- Public Health cannot say that vaping is harmless and non-smokers, people who are pregnant and young people should not vape.
- Evidence shows that there is limited evidence that e-cigarettes are effective at helping smokers quit smoking.
- Vaping related illnesses are not considered reportable diseases but, if someone ends up in the hospital, it must be reported on.
Flu Vaccine (Update)
- Flu mist is not available this year.
- Public Health provides the flu vaccine, including high-dose, to physicians.
- The Ministry will provide flu vaccine to pharmacies beginning in November. However, pharmacies will not receive the high-dose flu vaccine.
5.0 Presentation(s)
Substance Use Surveillance – On-Line Interactive Report
- J. MacLeod, Manager, Health Analytics, presented WDGPH’s Overdose and Drug Use Information System (ODIS), which is an on-line interactive report.
- An infographic entitled “Guelph Overdose Prevention Site Evaluation: Key Findings” was also provided to the BOH members.
- ODIS is currently available to WDGPH’s harm reduction partner agencies and WDGPH is working on posting some of the information on our public website.
WDGPH Mandate:
- Through the Ontario Public Health Standards, WDGPH is mandated to use timely data and information to undertake population health assessment and surveillance. This means that we collect and analyze relevant data to monitor trends over time, emerging trends, priorities and health inequities related to a number of topics including substance use and to report on the data.
The Public Needs to Know:
- WDGPH needs to provide accurate information, to the general public, for many reasons, including: (i) it can result in a sense of urgency which can lead to action; and (ii) it can help to reduce stigma.
Substance Use Causes Harms:
- There are particularly high rates of visits to hospital Emergency Departments for opioid overdoses, in Guelph. Between 2017 and 2018 the rate increased by 67%. In 2018, the rate of opioid-related Emergency Department visits, in the City of Guelph, was about double the provincial rate.
- In a list of 27 large municipalities (100,000+ population), in Ontario, Guelph has the 6th highest rate of visits to hospital Emergency Departments for opioid overdoses.
- The rate in Guelph is about 3 times higher than the Dufferin County rate and 4 times higher than the rate in Wellington County.
- Rates in Dufferin and Wellington Counties are also increasing but are slightly lower than the provincial rate.
- Opioid-related mortality in WDG has also consistently increased over the past several years (14 deaths in 2016, 23 deaths in 2017, 27 deaths in 2018).
Other Substances of Concern:
- Alcohol and crystal meth are two other substances of concern in our communities.
Well Water Research Project - Demonstration
Presentation was held in conjunction with BOH Report BH.01.OCT0219.R19 – Well Water Research Project and Program Update at #8 below.
- P. Montague, Health Promotion Specialist, presented and demonstrated WDGPH’s well water research project.
- WISE (Web-based, Interactive, System for your Evidence-based decision making) is an interactive system that makes it easier for area residents to submit well water samples and to access their results.
- Currently working on a dashboard to produce real-time information.
- It was noted that it is the sole responsibility of the well owner to test their wells.
6.0 Business Arising
- NONE.
7.0 Consent Agenda
- NONE.
8.0 BOH Report(s)
BH.01.OCT0219.R19 – Well Water Research Project and Program Update
Dr. Mercer introduced Report BH.01.OCT0219.R19 and S. Zentner spoke to the content.
MOTION:
(a) “That the Board of Health receive BOH Report BH.01.OCT0219.R19 – Well Water Research Project and Program Update, as presented, for information.”
Moved: C. Billings
Seconded: L. Otten
CARRIED
BH.01.OCT0219.R20 – Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Dr. Mercer introduced and spoke to Report BH.01.OCT0219.R20.
WDGPH submitted a One-time Grant Request for office renovations in order to accommodate this new program. There will also be new equipment required for reprocessing. Bulk of program will be up and running in 2020. This is the only program offered through Public Health that is not by delivered by geography. Therefore, regardless of where you live, you can attend at any Public Health location to access service.
MOTION:
(a) “That the Board of Health receive BOH Report BH.01.OCT0219.R20 – Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, as presented, for information.”
Moved: C. White
Seconded: R. Goller
CARRIED
9.0 Committee (Verbal) Report(s)
Audit Committee Report:
- NONE.
Executive Committee Report:
- NONE.
Human Resources Committee Report:
- NONE.
Finance + Facilities Committee Report:
- NONE.
10.0 Correspondence
- NONE.
11.0 CLOSED SESSION
- To approve the September 4, 2019 Closed Session BOH Minutes.
- MOH Update(s) [Labour relations or employee negotiations].
- Confidential Briefing Note [Labour relations or employee negotiations].
(5:47)
MOTION: “To move into Closed Session to approve Closed Session BOH Minutes of September 4, 2019, to obtain/discuss MOH Update(s) [Labour relations or employee negotiations], to discuss Confidential Briefing Note [Labour relations or employee negotiations].”
Moved: C. White
Seconded: C. Billings
CARRIED
CLOSED SESSION
Members in attendance were: Mr. George Bridge (Chair), Ms. Christine Billings, Mr. Guy Gardhouse, Mr. Rodrigo Goller, Ms. June Hofland, Ms. Nancy MacDonald, Mr. Ralph Manktelow, Mr. Lambert Otten and Mr. Chris White.
Member(s) with regrets were: Mr. Allan Alls.
Ex-officio member(s) in attendance were: Dr. Mercer, Medical Officer of Health & CEO.
Staff member(s) in attendance were: Ms. Sylvia Muir (Recording Secretary).
Guest(s) in attendance were: NONE.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES TO BE PROVIDED UNDER SEPARATE COVER.
(6:25) Returned to Open Session.
MOTION: “To Ratify the Closed Session Decisions of the October 2, 2019 Board of Health meeting.”
Moved: L. Otten
Seconded: C. White
CARRIED
Motion(s) brought forward from Closed Session:
MOTION: “To approve the Closed Session Minutes of September 4, 2019, as presented.”
Moved: J. Hofland
Seconded: C. Billings
CARRIED
12.0 Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
MOTION: “To adjourn the meeting.”
Moved: C. Billings
Seconded: G. Gardhouse
CARRIED
