Hamilton Board of Health for April 22, 2014 [Replay]

Council meets as Board of Health to debate the compensation of the City’s doctor recruiter, Ephinephrine Auto-injector Pilot Project in two area shopping malls, Mobile Farmers’ Market Pilot, and air monitoring in Ward 5.

Hamilton’s Physician Recruiter is paid at 93% of the average pay of the physician recruiters in Halton, Niagara, and Brant. The sub-committee that oversees the recruitment program is recommending a small pay increase and continuing the program.

The Epinephrine Auto-injector Pilot Project is nearing launch as two local shopping centres are willing to host the pilot project, pending Council approval. Eastgate Square and Jackson Square will have their security staff, and food merchant vendor supervisors, trained to identify when someone is suffering from an allergic reaction that will benefit from immediate first aid intervention using an EpiPen. Pens will be carried by security staff and also stored at food service outlets in the malls. If approved, the pilot will be operating by September 2014.

Addressing Hamilton’s food deserts, Councillor Sam Merulla is moving the City fund a mobile farmers’ market with the Ottawa Street BIA to have fresh fruits and vegetables sold in neighbourhoods without access to grocery stores, especially those with higher levels of poverty.

Air quality monitoring stations in six city parks and one additional on Barton Street East are proposed by Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins to be placed in his ward. They will follow up an earlier research project on air quality in East Hamilton. The cost – to be funded by Collins area rating fund – is estimated at $225,305.00

Live coverage begins at 1:30pm.