Latest news with #GrandErie
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Province's former top doc joins Grand Erie health unit amid measles outbreak
As Grand Erie's health unit searches for a new medical officer of health, Ontario's former top doc has stepped in to help the region manage a measles outbreak. Dr. David Williams, who was Ontario's chief medical officer of health from 2015 to 2021, has joined Grand Erie Public Health 'to provide additional temporary support,' the health unit announced in a news release on Thursday. Williams led the province's response to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since he retired in 2021, he has advised various Ontario health units. His move to Grand Erie comes as Dr. Rebecca Comley returns to the role of acting medical officer of health for GEPH, which covers Haldimand-Norfolk and Brantford-Brant. Comley had been top doc for the former Brant County Health Unit, which merged with Haldimand-Norfolk's health unit in January. She started in the same role with Grand Erie, but went on leave almost immediately after the merger. Comley's replacement, Dr. Malcolm Lock, died suddenly in late February, prompting Waterloo's associate medical officer, Dr. Adelle Chang On, to temporarily transfer to Grand Erie. 'Dr. Comley and Dr. Williams will ensure continuity in coverage during the ongoing recruitment for a permanent medical officer of health,' the release stated. Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, who chairs Grand Erie's board of health, welcomed Comley's return. 'We're pleased to welcome Dr. Comley back from leave as she resumes the role of acting medical officer of health, supporting continuity while we continue our search for a permanent appointment,' Martin said in the release. 'We expect to share further updates on this recruitment in the near future.' It is unclear whether Comley, who has a master's of public health and spent 10 years in the emergency department at Brantford General Hospital, has applied for the permanent job. According to provincial law, medical officer candidates must have completed at least a year-long postgraduate study in epidemiology, disease prevention and health promotion, while any licensed physician in Ontario can be an acting medical officer of health (MOH). As there is no time limit on how long an acting MOH can stay in the role, Comley could keep the job indefinitely. The health unit is also in search of a new chief executive officer after former CEO Brent Richardson departed the organization without explanation in April. Richardson had been CEO of the Brant County Health Unit and held the same job at Grand Erie after the merger. He did not respond to an interview request at the time of his departure. Comley will have help from Williams in managing an ongoing measles outbreak in Grand Erie. The region — and Norfolk County in particular — has been a hot spot for measles cases during a provincewide outbreak that started last October. As of June 3, Grand Erie has reported 273 measles cases since the end of October, including 25 new cases in the past week, according to Public Health Ontario. That case count is second only to Southwestern Public Health, which borders western Norfolk and has reported 725 total measles cases. The vast majority of cases are in unvaccinated children and youth, the province says. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Possible measles exposure in Labour and Delivery ward of Brantford hospital
The Brantford General Hospital is seen on Nov. 18, 2024. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) Grand Erie Public Health is warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital in Brantford. In a news release on Thursday, the health unit said anyone who was at Brantford General Hospital's Labour and Delivery Ward may have been exposed to the illness between 8:06 p.m. and 11:06 p.m. on May 26. Babies can contract measles from their mothers while in utero. On Thursday, Ontario's chief medical officer of health announced an unborn infant had contracted the disease before birth, was born prematurely and had died. Dr. Kieran Moore also said the child's mother had not been vaccinated against the illness. According to an epidemiological summary published by Public Health Ontario every Thursday, 273 cases of measles have been reported within the Grand Erie Public Health unit since Oct. 28, 2024. The number represents an increase of 25 cases since last week. What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
After major changes, Grand Erie health unit seeks new identity, leaders
It turns out merging was the easy part for one of Ontario's newest health units. Since Grand Erie Public Health was created in January from the merger of health units in Haldimand-Norfolk and Brantford-Brant, the new organization has appointed three different medical officers of health and is now without a CEO, all while managing one of the province's largest measles outbreaks. Staff at the health unit — which formed after the province put out a call for voluntary mergers last year — are also trying to figure out which services are most needed across a large and diverse coverage area. The health unit recently launched a survey asking residents to share their past experiences interacting with public health and to define what public health means to them. The survey also asks respondents what values they associate with their local health unit, what health unit services they have used, and the methods of communication are most effective at passing on health information. The questionnaire will be used to create a new 'brand voice' and communication strategy for the health unit, according to a message to survey respondents. The former Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit conducted public surveys before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the main findings were the need for the health unit to be more transparent and rebuild trust with residents who were left mistrustful or even fearful of public health due to poor communication and the debates over vaccinations and lockdowns. The current survey — which is completed anonymous — is available online at until May 25. Who will lead the health unit remains an open question after the departure of CEO Brent Richardson in April. Richardson joined Brant County Health Unit in 2017 and became CEO in 2022. The health unit did not explain why Richardson left, and he did not respond to a request for comment from The Spectator. A search is underway for his replacement, led by corporate recruiter LHH Knightsbridge. According to the online job posting, the ideal candidate will be 'financially savvy' and a 'politically astute communicator' who 'fosters trust, transparency and inclusion.' 'We are seeking an inspiring and innovative leader — someone deeply committed to public service excellence and community well-being,' board of health chair Amy Martin said in a statement. 'This is a unique and exciting opportunity to shape the future of our newly merged organization and lead transformative change for the communities we serve.' The new CEO will report to the board and work closely with the medical officer of health, a position currently held by Dr. Adelle Chang On, who temporarily left her public health role in Waterloo Region to fill in as Grand Erie's top doc following the death of Dr. Malcolm Lock in February. Lock himself was a fill-in for Dr. Rebecca Comley, who was announced as Grand Erie's acting medical officer of health after the merger in January but took a leave of absence soon after. The health unit also has a job posting open for a permanent medical officer.
