Northern Health is facing a significant shortage of environmental public health officers (EHOs) in northern B.C.
This means while focusing on recruiting more EHOs, Northern Health will have to temporarily focus on areas of the highest potential risk to public health.
EHOs are responsible for assessing public health risks, addressing health hazards in the community, and permitting and inspecting a wide range of facilities such as drinking water systems, food establishments and other regulated facilities.
Since early 2020, EHOs have also played a key role in COVID-19 response supporting compliance with provincial health orders and investigating and controlling cluster outbreaks in various settings.
Because of the shortage, the application processing time for a variety of facilities and permits will take longer than usual, and there will be a reduced frequency of inspections for lower-risk facilities, some of which may be conducted virtually.
“While other health regions are experiencing similar staffing challenges, northern BC is particularly impacted and currently has approximately one third of the full complement of EHOs it requires,” said Dr. Jong Kim, Northern Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer.
“As we continue to actively recruit to EHO vacancies, existing staff remain committed to controlling and addressing public health risks in communities and will prioritize efforts for the highest risk facilities and scenarios.”
Outbreaks of food-borne and water-borne illness, or of communicable disease, adverse water quality result assessments and drinking water system advisories and notices are among the highest priority scenarios for Northern Health Environmental Public Health.
Northern Health said EHOs will work closely with regulated facility operators to focus inspection efforts and resources on higher-risk situations, such as where inspections are significantly overdue, or there has been chronic non-compliance with health legislation.
Application processing time for a variety of facilities and permits will also take longer than usual, and there will be reduced frequency of inspections for lower-risk facilities, some of which may be conducted virtually.
Vendors seeking application support and approvals are encouraged to connect with Environmental Health as early in the process as possible, and to ensure their application packages are complete.
“We recognize that public health services that ensure food safety, drinking water quality, and control outbreaks of illness are incredibly important to northern B.C. residents,” said Tanis Hampe, Northern Health Vice President, Population and Public Health.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of stakeholders and community members as we work to stabilize staffing and improve Environmental Public Health services, going forward.”
Northern Health said it continues to actively recruit to EHO vacancies, efforts which include offering incentives, working in partnership with post-secondary institutions to develop affiliation agreements and increase intake of student EHOs, and developing targeted recruitment campaigns that showcase the opportunities available in northern B.C.
Anyone with concerns about matters of public health that affect the general public, is still encouraged to contact Environmental Public Health, by phone or email: 250-565-7322 or [email protected].
However, the nature and timing of responses will be prioritized based on an assessment of potential risk to public health.
