ISSUE
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), in response to the resignation of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), is required to recruit an Acting MOH. This individual shall perform the duties of, and have the authority to exercise the powers of the MOH in accordance with the requirements of Section 69(2) of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990
BACKGROUND
Part II, Section 4 of the Board of Health for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Consolidated By-laws (By-laws) speaks to the appointment of an Acting MOH by the Board. The By-law requires that any appointments of greater than six (6) months be subject to approval in writing from the Ministry of Health and the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
In addition, the Policy Framework on Medical Officer of Health Appointments, Reporting and Compensation established by the Ministry of Health indicates, “A board of health shall appoint forthwith a physician as acting medical officer of health”. The Minister’s approval is not required for these appointments, as they are meant to be short-term in nature to permit boards of health to recruit the MOH position with a qualified physician on a full-time basis.
PROPOSED MOTION
Whereas, the Medical Officer of Health has resigned effective September 12, 2021, and
Whereas, the WECHU has commenced a recruitment process in accordance with the By-laws, and
Whereas, an Acting Medical Officer of Health will be required to fulfill the duties of the Medical Officer of Health during the recruitment process
Now therefore be it resolved that the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health authorize and approve the Director of Human Resources and the Chief Executive Officer to communicate with the Ministry about a potential secondment and/or recruit a local physician for the role of Acting Medical Officer of Health.