Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Media Section - News Release- Chief Medical Officer of Health Initiates Steps to Ensure High Standards at the Muskoka-Parry Sound Board of Health

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Chief Medical Officer of Health Initiates Steps to Ensure High Standards at the Muskoka-Parry Sound Board of Health

TORONTO - Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced today she is working with the Muskoka-Parry Sound Board of Health to ensure compliance with provincial public health standards.

"We all know how important an effective public health system is," Dr. Basrur said. "The governance and management at the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit is a concern for the ministry. It is important for us to take proactive steps to ensure they have the capacity to identify and manage public health risks and to handle an emergency situation, should it occur."

Graham Scott, Q.C. has been appointed as an assessor to review the Muskoka-Parry Sound Board of Health's governance and management practices. Scott will assess the situation and make recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in September.

Dr. Basrur also appointed Dr. Alex Hukowich to provide public health expertise and professional leadership as the medical officer of health on an interim basis. Dr. Hukowich is currently the acting medical officer of health for Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine Ridge District Health Unit. He will begin working with the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit on July 19, 2004.

Scott and Hukowich have been appointed under Sections 82 and 86 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, respectively.

"I'm pleased that Graham Scott and Dr. Hukowich have agreed to offer their expertise with these tasks," Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman added. "They both have proven track records and the skills needed to do a thorough job and we look forward to receiving their reports."

"I'm encouraged by the support and co-operation that I am receiving from the Muskoka-Parry Sound Board of Health, and look forward to working closely with their public health staff to ensure that issues of mutual concern can be properly addressed," said Dr. Basrur.

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