Regional health unit benefiting from board merger | InQuinte.ca
×
Today's latest storiesEarly morning fire in RossmoreRegional health unit benefiting from board mergerBPS provides statement on cybersecurity incidentStedall thanks supporters and QW Community members post electionCampbellford Hospital working to more easily identify organ and tissue donation opportuntiesImpaired, failure to comply with demand charges laid against Belleville womanAssault involving a weapon leads to injuries, charges in BellevillePlanned road closure for paving in Belleville ThursdayUPDATE: One person deceased following early morning crash in DeserontoFall leaf and yard waste collection starts next week in Quinte WestReminder - change clock and alarm batteries this weekendLeaf & yard waste collection starts next week in BellevilleWomen in Policing event to be held in Belleville next monthAdditional leaf and yard waste collection dates added in NorthumberlandKingston Police release picture of B and E suspectPartners in Pink paints WellingtonBeyond the Headlines - election civilityDurham officer charged in child sexual exploitation investigation in NorthumberlandBelleville Mayor Neil Ellis issues statement following election lossGreenbacks Pawn Shop donates $3,000 to YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

Regional health unit benefiting from board merger

By Brock Ormond Oct 28, 2026 | 4:21 PM

The Southeast Public Health Unit is seeing the benefits of a merger approved nearly two years ago.

The Board received a report at its meeting in Kingston on Wednesday highlighting work completed by SEPH over the past 22 months in five key areas: improved access, enhanced prevention and protection, greater capacity, expanded expertise, and modernized infrastructure.

Although additional efforts lie ahead to achieve full integration, the health unit says a strong foundation and clear direction for the future have been established.  

Examples of this work include, but are not limited to: 

  • Broadening the delivery of the Steps to Wellness program to offer components of cognitive behavioural therapy to more pregnant and new mothers with babies up to 12 months of age, helping them better manage their symptoms of depression and anxiety. 
  • Improving the consistency of, and access to, environmental health inspection results across urban and rural communities to make information reliably available to the public, supporting informed decisions about health and safety. 
  • Addressing geographic disparities in immunization rates to improve local protection from preventable diseases. 
  • Expansion of the influenza vaccine dashboard across the entire region to improve vaccine ordering and inventory management, reduce vaccine waste, and support a reliable regional vaccine supply, ensuring timely access to immunization for local communities and residents. 
  • Consolidating communications with health system partners to create more consistent and co-ordinated information sharing across the region. 

SEPH officials say it has also achieved many financial efficiencies through management attrition, procurement efficiencies, and mortgage savings.

Those dollars have been redirected to tackling the structural deficit, protecting core capacity to deliver high-quality public health programs and services, and to successfully blend SEPH’s operational and workplace culture. 

The consolidated health unit includes Hastings-Prince Edward Public Health, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit and came into effect January 1, 2025.