Forum's numbers don't add up, health unit says

The Sudbury and District Health Unit says a recent poll which ranks the city fourth from last when it comes to satisfaction with the city's public health services isn't correct.

The Forum Research poll ranked citizens' rate of satisfaction with city services in 30 of the country's largest cities.

Sudbury came in dead last when it came to the overall ranking, with only six per cent saying they were very satisfied.

In terms of public health, 19 per cent of Sudburians are very satisifed with this service. Only Montreal and Gatineau, Que. and Winnipeg, Man. ranked lower in this category.

However, research conducted locally by the Sudbury and District Health Unit shows that when it comes to public health, Forum’s numbers just don’t add up, according to a press release from the health unit.

Sudbury’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, said Sudburians serviced by the SDHU are more than pleased.

“We keep a very close eye on client satisfaction at the health unit,” Sutcliffe explained, in a press release.

“Our research paints a much more positive picture of public health in Sudbury than Forum’s. In fact, over the past decade, our public polling results have consistently shown that over 97 per cent of SDHU clients in Greater Sudbury are satisfied with our programs and services.

“The health unit is responsible for protecting and promoting health in our communities. We can’t do this well if we aren’t constantly listening to those we serve and see each and every day.”

The health unit routinely monitors client satisfaction via the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS), the press release said.

RRFSS is an ongoing telephone survey which collects information from 1,200 local residents, aged 18 years and older, each year. The survey has been conducted on behalf of the SDHU by the Institute for Social Research at York University since 2001.

Posted by Arron Pickard