Public Health Aligns Resources with Provincial Patient First: Action Plan for Health Care

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is bringing program and service delivery into line with the strategic directions for Public Health and as identified by the provincial Patient First: Action Plan for Health Care. This focus aligns resources with priority populations and in support of community-based programs that promote healthy choices and help to prevent disease and illness.

As a result, resources will shift to a population health approach for maternal and child health. The Grey Bruce Health Unit will provide a consultation role and assign resources aimed at community capacity in areas such as baby-friendly communities, stroller-walking clubs, walkable and bikeable communities for all ages and abilities and improving access to healthy and local food choices.

Similarly, resources will shift towards programming that supports 18 month screening within the primary care setting. This will have greater impact on school readiness and address infants and toddler issues in a timelier manner.

The Gift of Motherhood prenatal course is an example of this model to support healthy choices. Offered to new parents, the online course looks at the process of labour, what to expect and how to get ready.

To help create a culture of health and wellness, Public Health will improve support for creating healthy schools and providing consultation for mental health promotion and building youth resiliency. This will include strengthening ties with primary care partners for individual client needs, rather than duplicating those services.

To support people making the right decisions about their health, we are striving for greater transparency with the disclosure of restaurant inspection reports, outbreak reports and healthcare worker flu immunization rates.

Overall, the focus is to move upstream in order to align resources to support the larger picture of community health. This will be achieved by exploring opportunities for developing capacity and working with partners to embed appropriate services within the community.

For more information:

Chris Munn,

Director of Operations and Program Development

Grey Bruce Health Unit,

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1235

[email protected]