Orazietti woo-hoos us

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

***************************** Orazietti commends local health care workers for successful delivery of H1N1 vaccine in Legislature today

Local MPP recognizes officials from Algoma Public Health, Group Health Centre and other community groups for their organization, professionalism and compassion

SAULT STE. MARIE - Today in the Ontario Legislature David Orazietti, MPP congratulated health care workers in Sault Ste. Marie for their exemplary work in delivering the H1N1 vaccine to local residents.

Orazietti recognized officials from Algoma Public Health, the Group Health Centre and other community groups in a Member's Statement during Routine Proceedings this afternoon.

The following is a complete transcript of the local MPP's Statement:

"Thank you Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate health care workers and other community officials in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie. 

The Group Health Centre and the Algoma Public Health Unit have been working with other local organizations to ensure that the H1N1 vaccine is being distributed quickly and efficiently to residents of my riding of Sault Ste. Marie. 

For the past 12 years the Group Health Centre and the Algoma Public Health Unit have been working together to book appointments for the seasonal flu shot to eliminate line-ups. 

They are putting the same system to use for H1N1 with great success. 

The Group Health Centre has had electronic records since 1997 and are able to identify the high priority groups and ensure that they receive appointments first. 

As patients are immunized, vaccine dosages and other relevant medical information are automatically entered into their record. 

A number of articles commending the health system in Sault Ste. Marie have appeared in newspapers including the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. 

This is not the first time the medical community in my riding has received provincial and national praise. 

Roy Romanow, former head of the royal commission on the future of health care, called its approach 'the best-kept secret in the country'.

And Michael Decter, Chairman of the Health Council of Canada, told local officials that the Sault Ste. Marie community had built an enviable track record in procedures and co-operation. 

In addition to the clinics run by APH and the Group Health Centre, evening clinics have been set up at area schools to provide further service to those that want the vaccine. 

All of the public officials have a difficult job to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community are protected from this illness and I congratulate them for their organization, professionalism and compassion. 

Public Health Units across Ontario have been working hard to improve their distribution system over the past week, so that all health care workers in the province are ready to give out the H1N1 vaccine when they receive the supply they need. 

Thank you."

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