Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry stated recently she had received unconfirmed reports of major staff reductions at Southeast Public Health’s Almonte office.
She noted she found the report disturbing.
Lowry stated she reached out to Southeast Health’s management for confirmation and clarification.
Dr. Linna Li, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, responded that no client-facing positions in Almonte had changed, nor did the office’s hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Southeast Public Health’s board decided last month to pause any closures of its remote offices while awaiting a new strategic plan.
Dr. Li did note that some changes were occurring in Almonte as well as other offices.
Lowry’s main concern was any change which might impact service delivery levels.
Lowry received a response from the Southeast Board chair indicating that the Almonte office changes could understandably appear to contradict the Board’s closure pause.
The changes were referred to as program harmonization related to merger, not service reductions.
Last November, Southeast Public Health announced the closure of seven remote offices and the Board is now awaiting their strategic plan before proceeding with any changes.
The announcement took many communities by surprise. In a social media post, Lowry asked residents to continue to note the services delivered in Almonte and share any changes they may see.
Story by Brian Turner