April 19, 2016 – 100 + people attended the Central East Physical Literacy Summit: “Physical Literacy for Lifelong Participation”
The Central East Physical Literacy Project hosted its first Summit “Physical Literacy for Lifelong Participation” this past weekend at the Holiday Inn. Over 100 participants came together to learn, network and strategize to raise awareness about the importance of getting the residents of Peterborough participating in physical activity across the lifespan.
“Literacy has provided us with knowledge and now physical literacy can convert that knowledge into action. The seeds of a healthy lifestyle were sown at the Summit,” said Dr. Dean Kriellaars, Canada’s renowned physical literacy researcher and advocate from the University of Manitoba. “I was struck by the level of engagement of the participants; they were inspired and motivated to be the change makers in their communities by becoming physical literacy champions.” Dr. Kriellaars was joined by
Brandy Tanenbaum, co-lead of the Play Safe Initiative from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to deliver keynote addresses.
The Summit also provided an opportunity for representatives from differentorganizations to come together for the first time to discuss physical literacy. “It was great to see representation at the summit from several sectors including sport, recreation, education, early child care and health, come together to be the catalyst to make change in the community to learn how to provide quality physical literacy instruction and recreational opportunities for children and people of all ages,” said Claire Townshend, Healthy Kids Community Challenge Coordinator.
The Central East Physical Literacy Summit was one initiative of the Central East Physical Literacy Project that was formed as a collaborative of agencies including: Peterborough Public Health, the YMCA of Central East Ontario,
the City of Peterborough, the Peterborough Healthy Kids Community Challenge, Girls and Boys Club of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Public Health, Kawartha Lakes Sport and Recreation Council, Northumberland Sports Council and Trillium Lakelands District School Board. The Central East Physical Literacy Project aims to engage leaders in sport, recreation, health, education, and municipal government in order to provide education and training that will foster communities where residents are active for life. Funding for the Summit was provided in part by the Government of Ontario and RBC Learn to Play Project grant, with the goal to help children develop the confidence and skills they need to enable them to play, and become happy, healthy and active for life.
“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – International Physical Literacy Association
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For further information, please contact:
Claire Townshend
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000 ext. 355
April 19, 2016 – 200+ Community Members Test Their Organizations’ Response to Mock Influenza Pandemic Emergency
More than 230 representatives from organizations across the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations came together today to practice how they would protect the community the next time there is an influenza pandemic.
“Today’s exercise was a great success and allowed many sectors of our community to work together to improve their pandemic plans,” said Edwina Dusome, Manager of Infectious Disease Programs at Peterborough Public Health and Chair of the Interagency Pandemic Preparedness Committee. “Now participants can take everything they’ve learned so we can address gaps in the community’s emergency response in order to minimize the impact the next time we experience a pandemic virus.”
Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health, kicked off the session with an overview of what public health agencies learned the last time there was a pandemic when the novel H1N1 influenza virus started spreading globally in 2009. “In Canada, there was considerable variation in the timing and intensity of pandemic waves, especially the first wave, across the country. Greater impact was seen in pregnant women and Aboriginal Peoples, and persons with morbid obesity were newly recognized as being at high risk for complications,” she said.
Dr. Salvaterra also noted during H1N1 that there were logistical and communication challenges regarding the delivery of vaccine and changing recommendations about priority groups. On the positive side, previous planning efforts similar to today’s exercise and relationship-building led to unprecedented collaboration among healthcare providers and community organizations.
“The Peterborough area was heralded for its strong partnerships that allowed for the H1N1 vaccine to get into as many arms as possible through community and school-based clinics,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “This is why today’s exercise is so important, so we can stay nimble and foster interagency relationships so our response is equally as effective when – not if – the next pandemic hits.”
To find out more about pandemic planning, and what organizations and individuals can do to prepare, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on “My Home & Environment” and then under “My Community” click on the link for “Pandemic Planning”.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
April 15, 2016 – To view the meeting summary from the April 13 Board of Health Meeting click the image below
April 8, 2016 – Location: J.K. Edwards Board Room, Peterborough Public Health,
Jackson Square, 185 King St., Third Floor
Media and the community are advised that the Board of Health will meet on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
Guests are asked to use the buzzer located on the wall to the right of the main front doors to alert Public Health staff when they are ready to enter the building. The board room is located on the third floor of Jackson Square, 185 King St. Free parking is available after 6 p.m. on the street or across the road at the King St. Parkade.
To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:
http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas
The meeting is open to the community and members of the media.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
April 7, 2016 – PUBLIC NOTICE:
Friday, April 8 from 1 – 5 p.m.
Emergency Response System Remains Operational While Phone System is Upgraded
The Peterborough Public Health is notifying the community that there will be a temporary service outage of its main phone service on Friday, April 8 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
During this time Public Health can still be reached at 705-743-1000 in case of a public health emergency which will direct callers to an answering service. Non-emergency calls will not be connected via 705-743-1000 during the phone service disruption.
The Community Dental Health Centre located at Peterborough Square will still be able to receive calls at 705-748-2230 and is not affected by the outage.
This temporary service outage is being planned to allow for necessary upgrades to Public Health’s phone server. Public Health fax lines, email service and cell phone service will not be affected, and Public Health offices and clinics at 185 King St will remain open.
Media requests can be submitted via email to bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
The Public Health apologizes for any inconvenience.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
April 7, 2016 – Mobile Dental Health Centre Hits the Road for Oral Health Month
April is Oral Health Month and Peterborough Public Health kicked it off by sending out the Mobile Dental Health Centre, with its first stop of the season in Lakefield today. The Mobile Dental Health Centre offers preventive dental services to eligible residents including: scaling, cleaning, sealant, fluoride treatment and oral cancer screening.
“We are excited to be back on the road with the Mobile Dental Health Centre for Oral Health Month,” explained Sarah Tanner, Oral Health Program Manager. “This year we are trying something new and asking eligible residents to preregister for services. This will allow for the Mobile Dental Health Centre to target communities with the greatest need for dental services.”
Over the next few months, the Mobile Dental Health Centre will be visiting areas of the county with the biggest need for its services. To do this, Peterborough Public Health is asking residents to call 705-748-2230 and request an appointment. Locations of the Mobile Dental Health Centre stops will be determined based on the calls received.
The launch of this year’s Mobile Dental Health Centre is also an opportunity to follow up with the annual school dental screening program. Throughout the school year, public health dental hygienists visit students to conduct assessments of their dental health and provide recommendations to their parents/guardians. Following screening, a card is sent home with your child to let you know the results. If your child was recently screened and received a card, they may be eligible for free preventive services at the Mobile Dental Health Centre under the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program. For more information about Healthy Smiles Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-dental-care or call Service Ontario at 1-844-296-6306.
The Mobile Dental Health Centre has been offering professional dental services throughout the county to eligible residents for five years. To book an appointment or find out if your family is eligible, call 705-748-2230, or email dental@peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
April 5, 2016- The community-wide influenza outbreak has ended according to Peterborough Public Health.
“We are seeing lower levels of influenza transmission in our community,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Although there is still sporadic transmission occurring, other indicators have returned to baseline and all of our institutional outbreaks have been resolved, so I am declaring the outbreak over.”
Dr. Salvaterra noted that while the outbreak has ended, influenza is still present and can be easily transmitted. She encourages everyone to take precautions, such as hand washing and using good respiratory etiquette. She also recommends that you stay home if you are feeling unwell to avoid spreading the virus.
For more information about infection control and influenza, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on “Immunization” and then “Influenza”.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
March 24, 2016 – Peterborough Public Health
In compliance with the Ontario Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, a listing of Peterborough Public Health’s salaries and benefits exceeding $100,000 for 2015 has been posted on Public Health’s website and is available from the link below:
2015 Public Sector Salary Disclosure
March 17, 2016 – This week Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra declared a community-wide influenza outbreak in Peterborough due to a recent increase in the number of confirmed local cases.
“We now have had influenza outbreaks at four long term care homes in our area, and have seen an increased number of patients presenting at the PRHC Emergency Department with influenza-like illness,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “While this may seem like a late for the spread of influenza to peak, it’s not unusual for flu season to last until April.”
Dr. Salvaterra noted that lab-confirmed cases have indicated that both Influenza A and Influenza B strains are circulating. One long-term care facility has both.
“The good news is that this year’s vaccine is a strong match with circulating strains and protects against both A and B strains,” she said. Dr. Salvaterra noted that all of the long-term care homes in outbreak have instructed staff who did not get the flu shot to take antiviral medication. “Antivirals can be effective as a second line treatment to prevent influenza spread when outbreaks occur or to treat an influenza infection, if used early. Hopefully, most caregivers have been immunized but if not, antivirals, masks and good hand washing can help protect those who are vulnerable.”
Influenza can be fatal for immunocompromised patients. But for most healthy individuals, they are able to weather the virus and will not require a visit to the doctor. For those who are feeling unwell, Dr. Salvaterra recommends that you stay home to avoid spreading the virus.
For more information about infection control and influenza, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on “Immunization” and then “Influenza”.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391
March 16, 2016 – Design Ways to Help Kids and Adults Master Active Living Skills for Life
Educators, Sport and Recreation Providers Invited to Physical Literacy Summit on April 15 & 16
What is Physical Literacy?
“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014
Understanding what prevents many kids from remaining active as they grow up will be the focus of the upcoming Central East Physical Literacy Summit taking place April 15-16, 2016 in Peterborough. The event starts Friday evening and resumes Saturday morning at the Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront.
The summit will explore and expand participants’ understanding of physical literacy. Running, hopping, kicking, catching and throwing are just some of the fundamental movement skills that children need to be physically literate. Without the development of physical literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport. “To stay active as we age, it’s important that we feel comfortable in any activity setting, and that comfort comes from feeling confident in our abilities to master fundamental movements,” said Eugene Todd, co-chair of the Central East Physical Literacy Project.
The Summit promises to be a terrific learning and networking opportunity for community sport and recreation leaders, elementary and secondary teachers, child and youth workers, early childhood educators, coaches, recreation programmers from municipal and not-for-profit groups, volunteers working with children and youth, health and health promotion professionals, post-secondary students and administrators.
The event is conference style, with delegates able to select four of 19 breakout workshop sessions over the two days. There will be two notable plenary presentations by experts: Friday’s keynote speaker is Dr. Dean Kriellaars, associate professor at the University of Manitoba, and renowned physical literacy expert and advocate. He will also lead several of the breakout sessions. Saturday’s plenary will feature Brandy Tanenbaum, program coordinator at the RBC First Office for Injury prevention, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on the topic of injury prevention, risk and resilience.
Early bird pricing ($64.20) ends March 24, and the cost for students to attend the summit is $32.40. Registration includes refreshments Friday night and Saturday morning, and light lunch on Saturday.
To register, click here or visit www.eventbrite.ca and search for “physical literacy 2016”. For more details, please contact Deanna Moher, Central East Physical Literacy Summit Coordinator at 705-772-8841 or info.ceplp@gmail.com.
The summit is hosted by the Central East Physical Literacy Project (CEPLP), a collaboration of agencies from Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County funded by an RBC Learn to Play Project Grant. Representatives from Peterborough Public Health, the City of Peterborough, the YMCA of Central East Ontario, and local school boards also serve on the CEPLP’s Leadership Committee.
RBC Learn to Play Project grants are funded by RBC and the Public Health Agency of Canada and delivered by ParticipACTION with support from Canadian Sport for Life.
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For further information, please contact:
Claire Townshend
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 355
