Strategic plan sets out directions for health unit

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has begun rolling out its four-year strategic plan, approved by the board of health in March.

The plan is a look into the future, says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner. It identifies immediate needs as well as issues that could affect the public's health over the long term.

"Our strategic plan is the result of 10 months of research and consultation with representatives from the health, social service and municipal sectors," Dr. Gardner said.

"It identifies a number of emerging health issues that affect people's day-to-day lives."

The plan sets out three main goals for the health unit:

· To tailor public health programs and services to the needs of Simcoe Muskoka's population.

· To strengthen partnerships to enhance public health.

· To provide a healthy working environment at the health unit. This will help keep and attract high calibre public health professionals.

"We will be exploring our role in issues like mental health promotion and the planning and design of our communities where partnerships are key," Gardner added. "The plan also gives us a chance to look at the way we deliver our services to Muskoka and Simcoe. It's a further step in our progress as a fairly young agency."

Gardner said the strategic plan makes special note of the size and diversity of the region.

"Our health unit territory is more than 8,700 square kilometres," he said, "and has widely varying populations - urban, rural and seasonal; two designated Francophone communities; four First Nation territories - all with unique health needs and resources.

These factors present special challenges to the health unit in terms of how we can most effectively deliver our services."

Health is also affected by factors such as income, housing, employment and education.

The strategic plan gives the health unit flexibility to look at its role in these issues, and to consider the health impacts of local statistics such that one-fifth of Simcoe Muskoka residents commute outside the region for work, and nine per cent of the population live below the low-income cut off level.

Simcoe Muskoka has some of the fastest growing cities and towns in Canada. Gardner noted that the strategic plan contains provisions to address growth issues that impact on public health within the region.

For instance, growth will inevitably lead to environmental and air quality challenges as well as other health hazards, all of which affect health.

Growth is a driving factor behind the plan to strengthen partnerships with municipalities.

Simcoe Muskoka Board of Health chairman Dennis Roughley said he was pleased to see the strategic plan's emphasis on municipal partnerships.

"I have been quite enthused to watch the health unit begin to take a role in building healthy communities," Roughley said.

"It's a concept with potential to create lasting improvements to our towns and cities, and have a potent impact on the health of our population. It's really a win-win partnership."

In child health services, where established links with school boards and other agencies already exist, the health unit is eager to explore new partnerships and innovative ways of delivering services for children.

One new approach will see the health unit work with schools, parents, partners and the community to support all aspects of health and wellness within individual school settings.

Gardner noted that initiatives arising from the strategic plan will be closely followed and evaluated to measure their success.

"It's a positive and exciting plan," he said, "but one that is also quite realistic in its goals."