Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Dec. 4, 2024
Today, the Board of Health for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) voted to merge with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health (KFLAPH) and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) to form South East Public Health.
Yesterday, the KFLAPH board voted in favour of the merger, and LGLDHU will meet tomorrow to hold their vote. If all three boards vote in favour, and once the legislative process is complete, South East Public Health will come into being on Jan. 1, 2025.
“It’s an exciting time. A merger is the best way to serve our communities. We’ve been working behind the scenes to prepare to join forces, and we recognize that this will be an evolving process that won’t happen all at once on Jan. 1,” said HPEPH Board Chair Jan O’Neill.
Last August, the Ministry of Health announced its Strengthening Public Health initiative, which included funding to local public health agencies choosing to voluntarily merge.
In March 2024, the three boards of health for HPEPH, KFLAPH and LGLDHU voted in favour of an intent to merge and submitted a business case to the province for a health unit that would serve more than 550,000 people across the South East region. The government of Ontario announced Monday that it had approved funding for the voluntary merger, including the funding proposed in the business cases from the three agencies in the spring.
Dr. Piotr Oglaza will be named Medical Officer of Health for South East Public Health, while Dr. Ethan Toumishey and Dr. Linna Li will both be named Deputy Medical Officers of Health. Dr. Hugh Guan will maintain his role as Associate Medical Officer of Health. A board of health will be in place with representation from across the new geographic region in the new year.
“We’re enthusiastic about the merger. Our three agencies have a positive history of working collaboratively together and this merger will strengthen and expand the delivery of public health services to the residents of our communities,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO for HPEPH.
Collaboration with local partners will continue as each office works with their communities to ensure a smooth transition to a merged entity and to maintain appropriate services and supports across the South East region.
Partners and members of the public should continue to engage with their local public health offices as usual until otherwise directed.
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Media contacts
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
Sara Hart, Communications Specialist
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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