Annual Report 2007
Message from Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Miriam Klassen
New Strategic Plan
The Year in Numbers!
School-Based Nurse Program Expanded
New Wellness Clinic for Tots Begins
Focus on Diversity
2007 Board of Health
Message from Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Miriam Klassen
 In the words of Alfred North Whitehead, “The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order.”
In 2007 the Health Unit continued to adapt to changing priorities and a changing health care landscape by seeking innovative ways to deliver services. PDHU staff participated in producing a new Strategic Plan for 2007-2010 to guide our priorities. New partnerships were established, such as the pilot project with the Stratford Family Health Team to screen all 18 and 36 month olds for developmental and nutritional concerns. We continued to refine the Perth County pandemic plan and prepared to do a test exercise in early 2008. Participation in the Crystal Meth Task Force remained strong, and four new programs were funded by the end of the year. Our Web site (www.pdhu.on.ca) was improved and expanded. And of course, despite ongoing funding constraints, regular programming and ongoing education was maintained. It is a pleasure to join the dedicated staff, board, volunteers and community partners who help us achieve our goals, and I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to each one of you.
New Strategic Plan!
The Perth District Health Unit created a new Strategic Plan for 2007-2010. The plan outlines how PDHU will align its activities with its goal to achieve the greatest level of health for the people of Perth County.
Some of the strategic directions for 2007-2010 include:
- Refine core public health programs and services to meet the needs of Perth County residents;
- Be a champion for healthy communities in Perth County based on a population health approach;
- Ensure equitable access to PDHU programs and services.
- The Strategic Plan can be found online at www.pdhu.on.ca.
The Year in Numbers!
- 393 disease reports and 28 communicable disease outbreaks investigated
- 1 new elevator installed at PDHU – West Gore site to improve accessibility
- 38,540 doses of flu vaccine distributed in Perth County
- 1,189 people visited the Travel & Immunization Clinic; 1,578 shots given
- 2,251 private well water samples tested; 15% deemed unsafe
- 792 (95%) of new mothers contacted by a Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse; 65% received a home visit
- 140 mosquito traps hung for West Nile virus surveillance
- 5,042 counselling sessions conducted with students by school-based nurses in 27 schools.
- 950 inspections conducted at 445 food premises
- 2,796 visits to Sexual Health Clinics
- 13,596 clean needles distributed through the Needle Exchange Program
- 138 teen girls participated in Teen Esteem; 81% reported an increase in confidence
- 2,942 school children received dental screening; 365 required urgent care
- 242 people attended 4 Prenatal Health Fairs
- 1,174 clinic visits to our Nurse Practitioner by expectants mothers and young children from cultural communities
- 5,564 calls made to a public health nurse through Health Line
- 1,766 hours of volunteer service contributed
School-Based Nurse Program Expanded
PDHU is proud to be one of the only public health units in Ontario to have a cost-shared program with the school boards to place nurses in our elementary and secondary schools. These nurses offer counselling and referral services to students and families and consultation to school staff. Until 2007, nurses were only in schools within the Avon Maitland District School Board. In January 2007, a pilot program was developed to expand school-based services to elementary children in the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB).
Surveys conducted with parents, students and school staff about the pilot program show it was a success. Here are some highlights of the support service survey:
- All students (100%) and parents were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the support service.
- 86% of students and parents “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they would recommend the support service to others.
- 96% of school staff were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the support service.
- Given the positive results of the HPCDSB pilot program, the service is continuing this school year. See www.pdhu.on.ca for full report.
New Wellness Clinic for Tots Begins
In the fall of 2007, PDHU received funding to start a healthy child development pilot initiative: the Wellness Clinic for Tots. The innovative program is a partnership between the Health Unit, the Stratford Family Health Team and the University of Guelph. At the Wellness Clinic for Tots, the Stratford Family Health Team’s nurse practitioner provides their 18- and 36-month-old paitents with a comprehensive well child check-up. The goal is to improve developmental and health outcomes of preschool children.
Some of the program objectives include:
- to increase early identification of children at risk for growth and developmental delays, health and nutrition concerns;
- to increase timely referral of identified concerns;
- to reduce risk of obesity among preschoolers;
- to educate parents on healthy lifestyles and child development, nutrition and local supports;
- to increase outreach to cultural communities.
The Wellness Clinic for Tots launched in February 2008 at the Stratford and Milverton sites of the Stratford Family Health Team.
Focus on Diversity
In 2005, PDHU struck a Diversity Committee to develop and implement inclusive policies, programs and practices that meet the needs of our diverse local community.
Poverty was the focus of this committee in 2007. In April, “A Bridges Out of Poverty” workshop was held for Health Unit staff and people from partner agencies in collaboration with the Social Research and Planning Council. The committee also added new library resources on poverty for staff.
In addition, the Diversity Committee addressed other equal access issues, such as exploring ways to better reach farm families with important public health messages. This committee continues to ensure that PDHU is a welcoming environment for diverse groups and responsive to the unique needs of our communities.
2007 Board of Health
Chair
Charlene Gordon, Provincial Representative
Vice-Chair
John Van Bakel, Perth County Councillor
Members
Julie Behrns, Perth County Councillor
Bonnie Henderson, City of Stratford Councillor
Don Chapman, City of Stratford Councillor
Ed Hollinger, Perth County Councillor
Bruce Symons, St. Marys Councillor
Joan Facey, Provincial Representative
Secretary
Randy Brown, Business Administrator
Board of Health meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9:30 am. To view the agenda and minutes from meetings, go to www.pdhu.on.ca.
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