The boards of health for Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (KFLAPH), Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) have unanimously voted to merge into the South East Health Unit.
The new health unit will cover a nearly 20,000 square kilometre area, with more than 550,000 residents. The South East Health Unit is one of four health agency mergers occuring in Ontario.
The merging of various local public health agencies throughout Ontario is the first of the changes included in the provincial Ministry of Health’s initiative to strengthen public health. The province is covering 100% of the costs associated with the mergers.
Dr. Piotr Oglaza told CRFC there will be balance between increasing capacity and maintaining local connection, stating Ontarians “can expect the services will either remain the same or improve”.
