Program and Activities
Childhood Immunization Clinics
This program is possible through partnerships with the Derry Cooperative School District and Pinkerton Academy School Nurses and a grant from the NH Department of Health and Human Services.
Day Care and Foster Care Inspections
The Bureau of Public Health conducts all Day Care and Foster Care routine, as well as complaint inspections for the Town of Derry as required by the State of New Hampshire.
Food Service Inspections
The Town of Derry has approximately 150 Food Service Establishments. These include gas stations selling basic necessities, ice cream parlors, take-out and dine-in restaurants, supermarkets, day cares that serve food, nursing homes and a hospital. The Bureau has written and implemented Department applications, guidance documents, protocols and procedures for new and existing Food Service Establishments in Derry.
The Bureau Director coordinates the activities of the Greater Derry Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC has126 medical and support volunteers to respond to local emergencies. MRC volunteers participated in the Hurricane Katrina response; emergency sheltering in the May 2006 NH floods; staffing the Emergency Operations Center hotline during those floods; participating in drills in Derry and Manchester; and have been placed on stand-by by Derry Emergency Management in case of need of sheltering Derry residents during two winter storms.
The Bureau is responsible for a multi-faceted public education campaign to inform Derry residents of the importance of personal precautions, as well as the writing and submission of an annual Mosquito Control Plan to the NH Department of Health and Human Services.
Regional Public Health Emergency Planning
The Greater Derry Area Health and Safety Council (AHSC) facilitates regional public health emergency planning with an emphasis on Pandemic and Avian Flu. This regional planning team is funded through a grant from the NH Department of Health and Human Services. The AHSC also supports local schools in creating Pandemic Flu plans.
Residential and Commercial Inspections
The Bureau of Public Health responds to reports/complaints of commercial health violations such as residents reporting illness due to ingesting food at a food service establishment. It also responds to fire/smoke damage in food establishments and conducts facilities inspections at schools and diagnostic laboratories.
The Bureau responds to residents’ reports/complaints of health issues at residential properties. Some of the issues we have responded to are: squalor conditions, insect (bed bug) infestation, inadequate heat or hot water in rental units, vermin infestation, and nuisance complaints (trash or junk accumulating on private property).
Residents' Health Questions and Concerns
Responds to calls and visits from residents who have questions concerning health issues. Some of the topics are: Avian Flu; Pandemic Flu; EEE and dead bird handling; rabies and rabid animal handling; immunization schedules and clinics; food-borne illnesses; disease outbreaks; specific disease-related questions; and residential mold complaints.