Information provided on how the Kawartha Lakes health unit responds to hazards

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) receives calls on a number of health related subjects.

At a board of health meeting, on Thursday, June 20th, members saw a briefing note on how the health unit responds to health hazards.

“The Health Unit is mandated to respond to inquiries from the public, related to health hazard concerns. However, many concerns relate to requirements and regulations which fall under other agencies’ jurisdictions. Health Unit staff review each complaint received and follow-up, according to the type of health hazard identified and the nature of the concern,” the note stated.

The note also explained how concerns are handled by the health unit process wise.

“Concerns from the public, regarding health hazards, are received by Health Unit employees by telephone, and occasionally by email. A public health inspector (PHI) is assigned daily the role of ‘intake’ and does an initial assessment of the complaint. The initial assessment includes determination of whether the issue falls under the jurisdiction of public health or whether there is a more appropriate organization/office to which the complaint should be made. Health Unit employees determine the regulatory framework(s), related to the complaint/notification, and notify the lead regulatory partner(s) as appropriate.”

Local medical officer of health, Dr. Natalie Bocking, explained, the health unit gets “a broad range of calls from the public.”

“Anything from rat infestations, to sewage tank overflows, to smells in the air. So a wide variety of things,” she stated.

She also noted, the majority of complaints or concerns which come to the health unit, are within the jurisdiction of other agencies.

“Are there immediate measures the health unit may need to take, if there is a known or recognized health hazard? Those immediate actions may or may not include things like education. So, ensuring people, who are concerned, know how to protect themselves. It may or may not include warnings or enforcement actions, depending on the type of hazard which is there. It may or may not include [inspectors,] going out and doing a further assessment and further follow up calls, with the jurisdiction which has the authority to mitigate the hazard.”