The two largest health units in the Kawarthas region will become a single legal entity in the new year.
The boards of health for Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) each held separate virtual meetings on Wednesday (December 4) and both voted in support of a voluntary merger.
Both boards of health received the Public Health Funding and Accountability Agreement from the Ministry of Health that will provide a combined total of $10,129,450 in funding for fiscal year 2024-2025 to PPH and HKPRDHU.
PPH passed the recommendation for a voluntary merger, given the fact the Ministry of Health included assurances that the government commits to 100 per cent provincial funding support for this merger, and in principle, also provides commitment for eligible out-year merger costs, subject to regulatory changes and appropriate financial reporting, the agenda for the special meeting of PPH’s board of health noted.
In addition, the merger intends to strengthen public health delivery, and “the Ministry of Health has articulated that operational efficiencies are intended to support public health service delivery,” the agenda noted.
“The government articulated that this is not about increasing costs — in fact we don’t expect this to increase costs for local funders, municipalities, and First Nations,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH’s medical officer of health and CEO, during the meeting.
“This is really about the province supporting strengthening of public health. Any efficiencies, opportunities realized, (would) be reinvested in the public health services we deliver for the residents of our community,” Dr. Piggott said.
Since late 2023, the boards have been considering a merger in response to an offer from the provincial government for additional one-time funding.
The boards of health for both health units announced in November of this year they were moving ahead with a process to explore the impacts of a voluntary merger in the communities they serve.
PPH’s board of health members unanimously passed the recommendation to merge.
At the HKPRDHU board of health meeting, the board also agreed to approve the merger, although it was not unanimous. Five members voted in favour of the resolution and two members — Tracy Richardson and board chair David Marshall — voted against the merger.
After some discussion, a fellow board member asked HKPRDHU CEO and medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking if, given all the information she has at this time, it was still her opinion “unequivocally” that a merger was best.
“My opinion is rooted in what I believe will provide the best level of public health capacity to our residents,” Dr. Bocking said during the meeting.
“If there were to be a public health emergency, or new emerging infectious diseases three years from now, it’s my opinion and recommendation that merging with (PPH) is the best option to build local public health capacity.”
She said she recognized there are many uncertainties, and that the new board of health will have many challenges to navigate.
“But, in the end, a health unit has a responsibility to serve all residents and community members in the entire geography and it can’t choose to only serve part of the area,” Dr. Bocking said. “And this is actually one of the areas in which public health excels.”
PPH serves the city and county of Peterborough as well as Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. HKPRDHU serves the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Both boards agreed to provide notice to the Minister of Health, Municipal and First Nations Councils to inform them of their intent to merge.
Earlier in the merger discussions, a Joint Merger Steering Committee (JMSC) was established to oversee this process, and to provide ongoing planning and governance decisions associated with the proposed merger.
On Monday (December 2), the boards of health received written approval from the province for the proposed merger.
That was the same day the Ontario government announced the More Convenient Care Act, 2024, which would, if passed, take the next step in the province’s plan to provide more people with the right publicly funded care, in the right place by building healthier communities, and bolstering the province’s health care workforce today and in the future, a press release noted.
“With the More Convenient Care Act, our government is taking the next steps to improve how the health care system connects people to high-quality care, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“With this legislation, we are continuing to bring forward bold actions and innovative solutions to create a stronger, more connected health care system.”
Included in the package of proposed initiatives is the government’s commitment to support the voluntary mergers of nine local public health agencies — including PPH and HKPRDHU — into four new entities.
“These mergers will address long-standing issues in Ontario’s public health sector, such as capacity limitations, organizational performance inconsistencies and challenges with staff recruitment and retention of health care staff,” the release stated.
“The province is also working with public health partners to clarify the roles and responsibilities of public health units to build healthier communities across the province.”
The legal merger of both PPH and HKPRDHU into a single entity will take effect January 1, 2025.
According to a joint media release from both health units, a new organizational structure and leadership team for the merged public health unit will be announced at a later time. Until then, both current public health units will remain operational, with no immediate impact on programs and services provided to the public.
The media release notes a new identity and brand will be launched in early 2025, with more information to be released once the new health unit launches its official business name and new logo.
