Future Directions for theFuture Directions for thePublic Health DivisionPublic Health Division

Presentation to the Annual General MeetingAssociation of Local Public Health Agencies

June 14, 2004

Dr. Sheela Basrur

Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Health Division

and Chief Medical Officer of Health

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Background and Context• Many years of turbulence

• Funding policies• Expanding program mandates• Amalgamations and restructuring• Provincial funding constraints

• Tension between the Public Health Branch and stakeholders in the field

• Limited capacity in the Branch• Difficulties in putting policy into practice

• Series of public health emergencies (Walkerton, SARS)

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Concerted Focus on Public Health• Naylor, Walker, Campbell reports - many constructive

recommendations

• Provincial government with several PH platform commitments:• Independent CMOH• Public funding for newer childhood vaccines• Smoke-free Ontario within 3 years• Disease prevention and health promotion – physical activity, childhood

obesity

• CMOH mandate to lead renewal of public health in Ontario• Organizational review of Public Health Division• Review of disease prevention and health promotion initiatives• Delivery on government commitments related to public health programs

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Core Functions for Public Health in Canada

• Surveillance

• Assessment

• Health Protection

• Disease Prevention

• Health Promotion

5Provincial Roles

• Policy and legislation

• Health strategies

• Program standards

• Technical advice and assistance

• Financial planning and administration

• Accountability

• Communication

• Emergency preparedness

6Values and Principles

• Emphasis - first and always - on protecting and promoting the health of Ontarians

• Maximum use of legislation, standards and funding as levers to improve health and motivate positive change

• Create opportunities for public health initiatives

• Collaboration with other divisions, ministries and governments, health institutions, research agencies... (etc)

• Well-grounded in data, evidence and best practices

• Continuous improvement - monitoring and evaluation, learning from experience

• Public accountability - advice, reports, results

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Core Functions• CMOH reports - periodic, annual (health, policies…)

• Training and technical assistance (health issues, programs)

• Advice to government, including input to legislation

• Surveillance on health, disease and determinants

• Compliance monitoring, assessment and enforcement

• Planning and participation in health system reform

• Policy development and approval

• Educational & (re)-training strategies

• Performance measurement and program evaluation

• Budget development, approval & settlement

• Procurement, contract negotiation and compliance mgt

• Correspondence and briefing notes

• Liaison - within government and with stakeholders

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A Vision for the Division

• The Division and its staff are recognized for their leadership and expertise, provincially and nationally

• Anticipates and responds to public health needs and emerging issues

• Sufficient capacity to manage key priorities (skill sets across various disciplines, technological support)

• Interactive relationship with stakeholders that provides them with strong and valued support

• High operational efficiency - encourages work/life balance and career development

• A great place to work - participatory, challenging, rewards learning and innovation - does the right things well

9Where Do We Go From Here?

• Organizational review – a business process re-design to create a “well-oiled machine”

• Approval of PH strategies for tobacco control, physical activity promotion and prevention of childhood obesity

• Implementation of “60-day plan”• agency design and development• CMOH reports• laboratory review• local public health capacity review• review of mandatory health programs and services guidelines• Provincial Communicable Disease Committee and related initiatives

• Stakeholder consultation – your ideas are welcome!