The Province has an update on the Grey Bruce Board of Health, and the skills it’s looking for in a new board.
Special Advisors to the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Jim Pine and Dr Eileen de Villa say in a release, this week, the Province and Grey and Bruce Counties took an important step to strengthen public health governance by advancing a renewed Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit.
The province’s Chief Medical Officer assumed powers of Grey Bruce’s Board of Health back in August, due to “serious concerns with the board’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities, including issues related to governance, leadership, financial management and human resources.” He then appointed Pine as his special adviser with regards to Grey Bruce Public Health.
The Ministry of Health identified concerns with Grey Bruce’s Board of Health through an independent assessment conducted under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. An assessment report exists with details about the Ministry’s review of Grey Bruce Public Health’s board, but it has not been made public.
Bayshore News also previously reported on alleged interactions between Board of Health members that resulted in a separate third-party investigation into a potential violation of Grey Bruce Public Health’s discrimination and harassment policy. The findings of that investigation have not been made public either.
Today, Pine and de Villa say they’re concluding the terms of the existing board members and beginning to consider new appointments informed by a jointly developed skills-based matrix.
They explain, the skills matrix identifies 16 unique skills they believe should be represented on the board. Some of those skills focus on ethics and integrity, an understanding of core public health principles, and an ability to assess complex issues. Other skills include an ability to engage with diverse community voices, experience applying health equity frameworks, understanding of human resources policy, knowledge of indigenous health issues and reconciliation principles, knowledge of relevant health legislation, understanding of financial statements and budget processes,
Pine and de Villa say each partner will propose members who possess one or more of these skills, enabling the Board to provide good governance,
strong oversight and effective community relationships.
They say, “We join all governance partners in expressing our appreciation to the previous Board members for their service to their communities,” adding, “We continue to be encouraged by the strong collaboration and commitment of Grey and Bruce Counties, along with the Province of Ontario, as we work together for the communities of Grey and Bruce.”