Item - 2017.HL19.3

The Board of Health:

1. Directed the Medical Officer of Health to report back to the Board of Health on the final Standards for Public Health Programs and Services once finalized.

2. Requested the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to consult with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) on integrating Vision Screening into current MCYS infant and children screening programs that are provided through local public health units, using the same 100% funding model.

On February 17, 2017, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) released the Standards for Public Health Programs and Services (SPHPS) Consultation Document. These standards will replace the current Ontario Public Health Standards (2008). The SPHPS specifies minimum requirements for public health programs and services in Ontario, and the City of Toronto Board of Health will be required to adhere to its requirements.  

The MOHLTC held a consultation session with TPH on April 6, 2017 and also offered an opportunity to make a written submission. The focus of the consultation was to provide the opportunity to discuss any operational considerations, identify areas requiring clarity and where implementation supports would be required.  The MOHLTC verified that the consultation was not for the purpose of providing general feedback or input on the revised standards.

Toronto Public Health has reviewed the consultation document and submitted a written formal response to the province highlighting the strengths of the proposed SPHPS and areas that require clarification for successful implementation.  At this time, the MOHLTC has advised that implementation of the revised standards and protocols (the latter are yet to be developed), will commence January 2018, with the expectation that implementation will be completed over the course of that year.