The amalgamation of the Huron and Perth Health Units is progressing well, according to acting medical officer of health for Huron County.
However, Dr. Maarten Bokhout said because only certain positions in each health unit are funded by the province, when the two health units amalgamate, it's likely only one would be funded.
"One of the principals of amalgamation was that we would not eliminate positions, so we've been juggling numbers to see how that might work out in practice and whether we would be able to effectively maintain the same number of people despite amalgamation," he said.
Dr. Bokhout says that's under active consideration by the Transition Committee.
The second question relates to the funding they've received for the amalgamation process.
As well, Dr. Bokhout said the health units have received all of the funding for the amalgamation process, but they have to spend it by March 31. He said it can't be done.
"We can't in good conscience spend all that money that quickly, so what we don't use we have to return. And then the question is will we be able to re-apply and get that rest of the money we need back... we don't know," he said.
Dr. Maarten Bokhout, Huron County's Acting Medical Officer of Health (Bob Montgomery photo)
