Current Committees

Regional Steering Committee

Reporting to the LHSC and Partner organizations’ CEO/ Medical Officer of Health, the Network Regional Steering Committee make strategic decisions as they apply to the Network and to plan for the successful evolution of program developments in Southwestern Ontario as agreed to by the Partners. The Regional Steering Committee ensures that the key goals, vision and mission of the Network are consistent with the direction of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Ministry of Children and Youth, nationally recognized best practice standards, and the needs of The Partners and other stakeholders. Additionally, the Regional Steering Committee will review reports and recommendations resulting from the work of the Task and Working Groups. In order to facilitate the proper organization and Management, the Regional Steering Committee will elect an Executive committee from among its Membership. The Regional Steering Committee meets twice yearly, in spring and fall.

Executive Committee

In order to facilitate the operations and management of the Network, an Executive Committee has been formed to represent the Regional Steering Committee. The Executive Committee reports to the Regional Steering Committee at minimum semi-annually, or more often when necessary.

MANDATE

The Executive Committee undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Develop the Network’s strategic directions and annual operating planning process(es);
2. Receive regular reports from the Task Forces/Working Groups;
3. Review reports and recommendations resulting from the work of the Task Forces/Working Groups;
4. Provide advice to LHINs, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Ministry of Children and CEOs of member stakeholders on advancing and integrating the activities of the Network to further development of the maternal/newborn and paediatric regional services systems;
5. Provide a forum to receive and provide updates on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care policy initiatives and other activities impacting the Network mandate to LHINs, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health Promotion, the Ministry of Children and Youth, and the CEOs of member stakeholders;
6. Support the work of the Provincial Council on Maternal, and Child Health;
7. Carry out fiduciary responsibilities related to the Network including taking an active role in review and approval of a sound operating budget and Membership fee schedule.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is voluntary and will include the following:

• Regional Leader of the Network, ex-officio
• 3 Medical Leads – Obstetrician, Neonatologist, Paediatrician
• 3 representatives of the Regional Steering Committee (including one CCAC or Health Unit representative, when possible)
• Chairs (or an alternate) from each of the Task Forces/Working Groups

Regional Paediatric Council

The Southwestern Ontario Regional Paediatric Council (the Council, RPC) recommends strategies for the achievement of a coordinated system of secondary and tertiary child and youth health services, delivered in both community and hospital settings, and will facilitate implementation and influence adoption of approved initiatives. Areas of activity include:

1. Equitable access to timely, high quality, evidence-based, family-centred care at the appropriate level for all children and youth in SWO, as close to home as possible;
2. Equitable access to specialized services optimizing child and youth care;
3. Leading evidence-based practice and standards of care;
4. Data and information systems to inform practice, policy and to promote accountability.

Baby Friendly Initiative Task Force

The Baby-Friendly Initiative Task Force’s role is to:

1. Implement PCMCH Approved Recommendations from the Breastfeeding Services and Supports Work Group;
2. Promote the Baby Friendly Hospital initiative;
3. Promote the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes.

MEMBERSHIP

The Task Force Membership includes:

• Dietician
• Family Physician
• Lactation Consultant
• Midwife
• Obstetrician
• Paediatrician
• Public Health
• Registered Nurse
• Epidemiologist
• Family Practice Nurse
• MNCYN Regional Leader

Perinatal Capacity Assessment Task Force

The ESC LHIN, SW LHIN and MNCYN have collectively identified an opportunity to enhance the delivery of maternal-newborn care across Southwestern Ontario (SWO) through a collaborative approach. This approach is embraced and highly valued by stakeholders in the region, and focuses on assessing regional capacity in light of historical, current and projected birth volumes in SWO, and will support existing gaps future planning initiatives. Enhancing our understanding of transfer and retrotransfer patterns, as well as addressing identified issues, is anticipated to contribute to better family centered care, sustainability and will further enhance our culture of system integration. The Perinatal Capacity Assessment Task Force, oversees all aspects of this project.

Data Set Working Group

The MNCYN Data Set Working Group reviews and analyzes perinatal and paediatric data for Southwestern Ontario, in order to identify trends, issues, and recommend priorities for action.

MANDATE

• To review available regional data and information;
• Address data quality issues;
• To make recommendations re: future analysis and indicator inclusion/exclusion;
• To identify the emerging trends arising from the available data;
• To identify policy issues and/or strategies for addressing key trends and/or concerns arising from the data;
• Informing future Network initiatives;
• Providing baseline values for the Network’s performance management process;
• Collaborating with BORN Ontario and the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health in the development of common indicators;
• Exploring research opportunities.

Perinatal Smoking Cessation Task Force

The aim of the Perinatal Smoking Cessation Task Force is to decrease the maternal smoking rates in Southwestern Ontario, and potentially decrease adverse pregnancy outcomes through a systematic approach to smoking cessation across the South West Public Health Region. Areas of focus include:

• A woman-centred approach used to screen for smoking in pregnant women;
• Sustainability of smoking cessation screening with pregnant women;
• Overall vision of smoking cessation from preconception to postpartum looking at every entry point into healthcare for the women wanting to become pregnant.

MEMBERSHIP

The Task Force Membership will be trans-disciplinary and the following areas of expertise will, ideally, be represented (may change as project moves from Phase 1 into Phase 2):

• Midwife
• Family Physician
• Obstetrician
• Public Health Nurse
• Registered Nurse
• Epidemiologist
• Smokers’ Helpline
• MNCYN Regional Leader