Report suggests SEHU services, programs could be impacted by budget shortfall

SEHU is seeking a meeting with the Ministry of Health over funding formula.

The South East Health Unit is not pushing any panic buttons yet as they look to find ways to balance the books.

Manager of Finance John Wickson delivered a presentation at a recent board of health meeting in Kingston where it projected deficits and budget shortfalls if there is no change to the funding formula.

This comes months after Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit merged to become the South East Health Unit.

Speaking to KingstonDaily.ca, health unit CEO and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Pitor Oglaza says they do have funding from the province that will give them time to sort things out.

At the meeting, a motion was passed to ask the Ministry of Health to allow the health unit to participate in a review of the funding formula.

Oglaza says they want to work with the ministry in coming up with a plan that will see health units continue to get the proper funding to cover programs especially those they are mandated to provide.

The Whig-Standard reported that Corporate Services Director Suzette Taggart indicated that the health unit is currently facing a $1.5 Million shortfall.

She also hinted that it could lead to a reduction in the services they offer.

But Oglaza is ensuring that won't be happening anytime soon.

Oglaza says the health unit continues to look for efficiencies but stresses participation in the review of the funding formula remains on the radar.

Story by Ken Hashizume