Health Unit faces challenges in 2008

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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The first board meeting of 2008 was held at the North Bay office of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit on January 23, 2008. All board members from 2007 have returned for 2008 to continue their term on the Board of Health. Elections for the chair and vice-chair were held with Mac Bain re-elected as chair and Janet McNabb elected as vice-chair.

The Health Unit identified several strategic directions for 2008 which include:

• Engaging in a strategic mapping process to establish a common vision and map for the future,

• Continuing to seek and implement operational efficiencies associated with managing services across the district based in multiple facilities,

• Improving internal communications for enhanced cohesiveness and service delivery,

• And increasing staff as approved to meet service delivery requirements in Vaccine Prevention and Child Health programs.

Challenges that may influence the work of the Health Unit in 2008 include:

• Ongoing difficulty recruiting professional staff,

• Implementation of new public health standards and protocols,

• And planning for future accommodations.

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, now in its third year as a newly merged health unit, has evolved past the initial growing pains and has begun long term strategic planning to build on opportunities to further improve the health of the citizens in the area we serve.

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