Local Medical Officer of Health Called to Provincial Post

The Board of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit wishes to congratulate Dr. David C. Williams on his appointment to the position of Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health / Director, Infectious Disease Branch for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for the Province of Ontario.

"It has been a privilege to work with David for many years and, as a Board of Health, we are excited to know that there will be a strong voice with a Northern Health Unit perspective at the provincial table," states Connie Bryson, Chair of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health. "We will miss his leadership, expertise and the subtle wit that we have grown to enjoy. We appreciate the help that the province has offered in filling the vacancy that will be created when he leaves."

During the SARS crisis, Dr. Williams joined the provincial team in Toronto where he chaired the Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases. He currently co-chairs the Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (PIDAC).

"It is an honor to have been chosen to assist Dr. Sheela Basrur, in the work of bringing about Public Health renewal in the province. The task of heading up the new Infectious Disease Branch will be a challenging job that I look forward to," says Dr. Williams, Medical Officer of Health. During the past 14 years, I've enjoyed many opportunities brought about by working with the excellent staff at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. I'm proud of our organization's reputation as one of the leading Health Units in the province, and am confident that my replacement will benefit from the strong community relationships we have built, and the solid support of our local Board. I expect to remain connected with northern and remote areas of the province in my new capacity."

Dr. Williams will commence his duties with the province in September of this year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2005

Grandparents Need to Use Car Seats Too

Over 80% of child car seats in the city and district are not properly installed leaving infants and young children vulnerable to injury. These numbers come from 2 years of car seat clinics held by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and St. John Ambulance. Over 600 infant and child car seats were inspected with 460 needing changes.

Seniors are the focus of a new campaign to educate grandparents about the need to use properly installed car seats. Grandparents will have the opportunity to find out how to install car seats through presentations and car seat inspections that will be held at the 55+ Centre and Herb Carroll Centre during the month of June.

“Many grandparents don't realize that they need to secure their grandchild in a car seat when transporting them. Even if it's a short ride, children need to be in a properly installed car seat” explains Tara Gauld, Health Promotion Planner at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

Often when parents and grandparents are using car seats they are too loose or the child is not harnessed in the seat tight enough. This can lead to injury if in a car collision. When a car seat is installed it shouldn't move more than an inch side to side. Also, when the child is harnessed in the seat you shouldn't be able to fit more than one finger between the child and the harness.

This spring 12 people were trained in Marathon to conduct car seat inspections and plans are underway to train more car seat inspectors in the district. Over the summer, the town of Marathon will be conducting car seat inspections as well. Contact the Health Unit branch office there at 807-229-1820 for further information.

Funding to run car seat inspections comes from the Early Child Development program through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. This special funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services runs out at the end of 2006. Therefore, there is a limited timeframe to utilize these car seat inspections. Inspections are held regularly at St. John Ambulance and are open to everyone. Inspections are free but donations are encouraged.

Geraldton residents will have the opportunity to have infant and child car seats inspected on June 22 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Geraldton Ambulance Base on Main Street .

To receive a car seat inspection in Thunder Bay , contact St. John Ambulance at 345-1712. For further information visit www.tbdhu.com or call 625-8825.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2005

Perinatal Bereavement Conference A First for Thunder Bay

In November of 2003, Tania Pynn would find herself in a situation no expectant mother would ever want to be in. At 39 weeks along in her pregnancy, she and her husband rushed into the labour and delivery area and faced their worst nightmare-- Ms. Pynn's frantic maternal feelings were confirmed—there was no fetal heartbeat. The silence was deafening and time stood still—this was no dream. Her much-anticipated child had died.

Ms. Pynn's story is unfortunately not uncommon. In her present role as genetics nurse at the Northwestern Ontario Regional Genetics Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, she sees families who come in frequently with previous perinatal losses for various reasons and can understand their fears and concerns and the feelings of abandonment when something goes wrong.

Yet, those professionals who work with people who are experiencing such a loss are not always able to respond in a way that will promote healing.

In response to the issue, The Northwestern Ontario Regional Genetics Program will be hosting a Perinatal Bereavement Support Training Workshop on October 20-21 of this year with Perinatal Bereavement Services Ontario (PBSO) a program based in Toronto.

The workshop is designed for those who interact with families who are experiencing the loss of a pregnancy or infant in their work or volunteer service. Many issues related to the grief experienced after the death of a baby at any point from conception to a month of age, will be addressed at the conference with caregivers having the opportunity to participate in case study review and hands-on workshops.

“ We wanted to put this conference on because we have found that our clients are coming in with no one to turn to for support--groups set up are for older children or adults- some have voiced the concern about the way people treated them during or after the loss. The feeling of isolation spans cultural barriers,” Pynn points out. “ In a recent report investigating the handling of human tissue, Tom Closson identified a need for health care institutions to develop protocols to manage the sensitive issues surrounding handling of the baby's remains after the loss of a pregnancy. This conference will support that work.”

More details on content and speakers will be released in the summer.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit houses the Northwestern Ontario Regional Genetics Program, which is involved with prenatal diagnosis and the parents experiencing loss after abnormal results. Thunder Bay is also the hub of health service for the north and includes not only the largest hospital in the area but also the new medical school at Lakehead University with which PBSO has partnered in their quest for case study-based learning in obstetrics.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2005

Food Safety an Issue at Some Charity BBQs

Some local groups may be unaware that they are putting public health at risk by not following food safety guidelines and public health regulations when running charity BBQs in the city. Inspectors are working seven days a week this season to ensure food safety at these events.

“Just like at a restaurant, charity barbecues serve food to the public. Cooks and servers at these events need to know how to handle, prepare and store food to prevent food poisoning,” said Anita Lapointe, Public Health Inspector at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “Our concern is that the organizers of some smaller charity events may not be fully aware of the requirements to keep food safe when serving the public.”

Individuals and organizations planning a charity barbeque or other special event where food will be served are reminded to notify the Health Unit in advance. This will ensure the Health Unit is aware of your event and has the opportunity to provide you with appropriate application form(s) and operating guidelines. There is no fee for having your charity BBQ registered. Last year two charges were laid and some food service booths were shut down because safe operating guidelines were not being met.

To help organizers of charity barbecues or other special events get food safety approval, the Health Unit has easy-to-follow guidelines which are available at their main office on Balmoral Street or can be found at the “Fairs and Festivals” page linked from the Inspection topic at www.tbdhu.com. Application forms are also available at this site.

Although the Health Unit would like 14 days advance notice of your charity barbecue, health inspectors will work within tighter timeframes if necessary.

“What's most important is the public's health and safety. Even if your event is just around the corner, call us. We'll work with you to make your event a safe one,” points out Lapointe.

For more information, call the Health Unit's Environmental Health Program at
807-625-5930, toll-free at 1-888-294-6630

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2005

Grandparents Need to Use Car Seats Too

Over 80% of child car seats in the city and district are not properly installed leaving infants and young children vulnerable to injury. These numbers come from 2 years of car seat clinics held by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and St. John Ambulance. Over 600 infant and child car seats were inspected with 460 needing changes.

Seniors are the focus of a new campaign to educate grandparents about the need to use properly installed car seats. Grandparents will have the opportunity to find out how to install car seats through presentations and car seat inspections that will be held at the 55+ Centre and Herb Carroll Centre during the month of June.

“Many grandparents don't realize that they need to secure their grandchild in a car seat when transporting them. Even if it's a short ride, children need to be in a properly installed car seat” explains Tara Gauld, Health Promotion Planner at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

Often when parents and grandparents are using car seats they are too loose or the child is not harnessed in the seat tight enough. This can lead to injury if in a car collision. When a car seat is installed it shouldn't move more than an inch side to side. Also, when the child is harnessed in the seat you shouldn't be able to fit more than one finger between the child and the harness.

This spring 12 people were trained in Marathon to conduct car seat inspections and plans are underway to train more car seat inspectors in the district. Over the summer, the town of Marathon will be conducting car seat inspections as well. Contact the Health Unit branch office there at 807-229-1820 for further information.

Funding to run car seat inspections comes from the Early Child Development program through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. This special funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services runs out at the end of 2006. Therefore, there is a limited timeframe to utilize these car seat inspections. Inspections are held regularly at St. John Ambulance and are open to everyone. Inspections are free but donations are encouraged.

Geraldton residents will have the opportunity to have infant and child car seats inspected on June 22 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Geraldton Ambulance Base on Main Street .

To receive a car seat inspection in Thunder Bay , contact St. John Ambulance at 345-1712. For further information visit www.tbdhu.com or call 625-8825.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2005

Perinatal Bereavement Conference A First for Thunder Bay

In November of 2003, Tania Pynn would find herself in a situation no expectant mother would ever want to be in. At 39 weeks along in her pregnancy, she and her husband rushed into the labour and delivery area and faced their worst nightmare-- Ms. Pynn's frantic maternal feelings were confirmed—there was no fetal heartbeat. The silence was deafening and time stood still—this was no dream. Her much-anticipated child had died.

Ms. Pynn's story is unfortunately not uncommon. In her present role as genetics nurse at the Northwestern Ontario Regional Genetics Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, she sees families who come in frequently with previous perinatal losses for various reasons and can understand their fears and concerns and the feelings of abandonment when something goes wrong.

Yet, those professionals who work with people who are experiencing such a loss are not always able to respond in a way that will promote healing.

In response to the issue, The Northwestern Ontario Regional Genetics Program will be hosting a Perinatal Bereavement Support Training Workshop on October 20-21 of this year with Perinatal Bereavement Services Ontario (PBSO) a program based in Toronto.

The workshop is designed for those who interact with families who are experiencing the loss of a pregnancy or infant in their work or volunteer service. Many issues related to the grief experienced after the death of a baby at any point from conception to a month of age, will be addressed at the conference with caregivers having the opportunity to participate in case study review and hands-on workshops.

“ We wanted to put this conference on because we have found that our clients are coming in with no one to turn to for support--groups set up are for older children or adults- some have voiced the concern about the way people treated them during or after the loss. The feeling of isolation spans cultural barriers,” Pynn points out. “ In a recent report investigating the handling of human tissue, Tom Closson identified a need for health care institutions to develop protocols to manage the sensitive issues surrounding handling of the baby's remains after the loss of a pregnancy. This conference will support that work.”

More details on content and speakers will be released in the summer.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit houses the Northwestern Ontario Regional Genetics Program, which is involved with prenatal diagnosis and the parents experiencing loss after abnormal results. Thunder Bay is also the hub of health service for the north and includes not only the largest hospital in the area but also the new medical school at Lakehead University with which PBSO has partnered in their quest for case study-based learning in obstetrics.

-30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2005

Food Safety an Issue at Some Charity BBQs

Some local groups may be unaware that they are putting public health at risk by not following food safety guidelines and public health regulations when running charity BBQs in the city. Inspectors are working seven days a week this season to ensure food safety at these events.

“Just like at a restaurant, charity barbecues serve food to the public. Cooks and servers at these events need to know how to handle, prepare and store food to prevent food poisoning,” said Anita Lapointe, Public Health Inspector at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “Our concern is that the organizers of some smaller charity events may not be fully aware of the requirements to keep food safe when serving the public.”

Individuals and organizations planning a charity barbeque or other special event where food will be served are reminded to notify the Health Unit in advance. This will ensure the Health Unit is aware of your event and has the opportunity to provide you with appropriate application form(s) and operating guidelines. There is no fee for having your charity BBQ registered. Last year two charges were laid and some food service booths were shut down because safe operating guidelines were not being met.

To help organizers of charity barbecues or other special events get food safety approval, the Health Unit has easy-to-follow guidelines which are available at their main office on Balmoral Street or can be found at the “Fairs and Festivals” page linked from the Inspection topic at www.tbdhu.com. Application forms are also available at this site.

Although the Health Unit would like 14 days advance notice of your charity barbecue, health inspectors will work within tighter timeframes if necessary.

“What's most important is the public's health and safety. Even if your event is just around the corner, call us. We'll work with you to make your event a safe one,” points out Lapointe.

For more information, call the Health Unit's Environmental Health Program at
807-625-5930, toll-free at 1-888-294-6630

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2005

Local Program Gets International Attention

The Thunder Bay Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition has modeled an innovative approach to public education that has captured the attention of a national conference.

The Guelph Sexuality Conference is recognized as Canada 's leading annual training and education forum. For the last 27 years professionals from public and community health, education, counseling, medical, clergy and research from across North America have attended to hear about the latest innovative interventions and research studies occurring from coast to coast.

The focus of this year's conference is on sexual health promotion strategies that target issues of isolation, poverty and lack of resources for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

The Thunder Bay project “Teen Parent Families Building Healthy Relationships” will be presented as an unique program that can make a difference in the education and life choices of teen parents and their children.

The Thunder Bay Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition has developed an educational video on healthy relationships among teen parents. The video was written and performed by teens themselves; who identified the issues, went through theatre training workshops as well as life skills training, and came up with dramatic scenes highlighting some of the relationship issues common in a teen parent's life. This approach to public education is unique in a number of ways; peers teaching peers, the teen participants taking ownership of the project, and the video giving a realistic view of teen parents' lives as they write of their own experiences.

Although the end product of the project is significant, it is the process which has other health agencies sitting up and taking notice. The consulting process has been put in a manual format and this manual, as well as the video will be made available to agencies who may want to repeat this unique model in their own communities.

“Teen Parent Families Building Healthy Relationships” was made possible by a grant from The National Crime Prevention Strategy - Community Mobilization Program.

A wrap up party for the project and those teen parents involved will be held on:

Thursday, June 2 at 10:30 A.M. at Beendigan 1111 Victoria Avenue East MEDIA ARE INVITED FOR PHOTO/INTERVIEWS

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