News

Southwestern Public Health Seeking Information on Dog Biting Incident

Southwestern Public Health is looking for additional information related to a dog biting incident at the Henry Street Off-Leash Dog Park near Southside Park in Woodstock.

On Saturday, October 2, 2021, the owner of a chihuahua entered the park and the dog was attacked by a 70-80 pound (assumed Collie/Shepard) dog. While the owner of the chihuahua tried to get his dog away from the larger dog, the larger dog bit him.

 If you have any information about this incident, please contact Southwestern...

Board of Health Appointment Opportunity

Southwestern Public Health Seeking Expressions of Interest for Order in Council Provincial Appointments

Southwestern Public Health seeks Provincial Appointees to serve on our Board of Health. In Ontario, each health unit is governed by a board of health that is accountable for implementing the protocols and guidelines referenced in the Ontario Public Health Standards. Public Health works in the areas of protection, prevention, and promotion with a goal of healthy people in vibrant communities. We...

September 30 is Truth and Reconciliation Day

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established on the first of June 2008 to document the history and impacts of the residential schools on Canada's Indigenous communities. In the Commission’s Final Report, one of the ninety-four calls to action included establishing a statutory holiday. 

The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to designate September 30 a federal holiday called National Truth and Reconciliation Day. It is a day set aside for recognizing...

SWPH recommends vaccination policies for all workplaces

Southwestern Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health has issued a letter to all workplaces in Elgin County, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas recommending vaccination policies to protect their employees and the public from COVID-19.

The proposal comes during the fourth wave of the pandemic, with 82 active cases currently reported by the health unit, the majority of which are people under 40 who are not yet vaccinated.

“Workplaces have worked very hard over the past 18 months to help control...

SWPH Board of Health Receives Retirement Notice from Dr. Joyce Lock

On September 9, the Southwestern Public Health Board of Health accepted a notice of retirement from Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health.   

Dr. Lock has made considerable contributions to the health and well-being of all those living in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas since joining public health in 2014. Throughout Dr. Lock’s tenure with SWPH, she further established critical relationships within primary care, hospitals, and the larger health...

Southwestern Public Health Looking for Dog in New Biting Incident

A new dog biting incident has taken place in the Southwestern Public Health region.

The incident took place in the early morning of September 1 between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. in St. Thomas. The location was Centre Street, between Queen and Metcalfe Streets. The dog was being walked by a male when it bit another person. The owner noted that the dog was a rescue. The dog is described as medium to large, with floppy ears.

Southwestern Public Health is seeking information about the incident to locate the...