2014 Orazietti crop  Sault MPP David Orazietti news release…
Health Minister Acting on Recommendations to Improve Governance of Public Health Unit

Sault Ste. Marie –  David Orazietti MPP was on hand as Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care announced steps the province is taking to ensure accountability and transparency at the District of Algoma Public Health Unit (APHU) and responded to the recommendations from Graham Scott, assessor of APHU.

MPP Orazietti supported the Minister as he called for the immediate and voluntary resignation of municipal and provincial members who sat on the Board of Health prior to the 2014 municipal election, one of the main recommendations of Mr. Scott’s report. To ensure accountability and transparency, the province will also:
”     Quickly work with the Board of Health in the recruitment and appointment of a full-time Medical Officer of Health.
”     Work with municipalities within the District of Algoma to ensure Board of Health members who are appointed have the necessary and appropriate skills to exercise and ensure appropriate governance and accountability.
”     Continue to work with the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) to enhance Board of Health member orientation practices and processes to ensure there is more of a focus on effective board governance practices for non-profit organizations.
”     Require the Algoma Board of Health to attest that it is in compliance with the requirements as set out in the Ontario Public Health Organizational Standards, including orientation and training of Board of Health members, Board of Health self-evaluation, leadership and trusteeship.
”     Continue to conduct regular follow-up audits of the Board of Health to ensure compliance with requirements related to financial, operational, and value for money aspects of transfer payment funding.

Ensuring accountability and transparency is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which is providing patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to stay healthy and a health care system that’s sustainable for generations to come.

QUOTES

“I want to thank Graham Scott for his thorough analysis of the issues at APH and Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care for responding to these local challenges and for his immediate action on the recommendations in the report. If we are to rebuild the trust and public confidence in this organization, and restore effective governance, accountability and transparency, it is absolutely essential that we follow through on the recommendations.”
–David Orazietti, MPP Sault Ste. Marie

“We are taking immediate steps to act on the assessor’s recommendations. These actions will help enhance public trust and ensure that APHU can continue to ensure that the health and well-being of Algoma residents is being protected.”
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care