This is page numbers 440 - 463 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was hospital.

Topics

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health. As the Minister indicated, today the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital issued a further press release with additional information about issues surrounding the reports and medical procedures used when performing abortions. The press release indicates that, "Patients are offered pain relieving medication prior to, during and following the procedure.* Will the Minister confirm that "pain relieving medication" is not the same procedure as anesthetic compounds?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Return To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 454

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will.

Return To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 454

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

My question is to the Minister of Health. I am just appalled; I just cannot believe the replies I am receiving from the Minister regarding this issue. I asked if the Minister would confirm that "pain relieving medication" is not the same as anesthetic compounds, and he said "Yes, I will.' Is he stating that he will confirm that it is not the same or does he know that it is not the same? Clarify it.

Supplementary To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 454

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Further Return To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I should have been a doctor instead of a social worker. My knowledge of medicine is limited, I must assure this House, but the procedure that I understand takes place in reference to medication being given to relieve pain -- there is a variety of pain relievers, as we are well aware, and they deal with

different types of application. As I understand it, in some cases they can be local, they can be given through injection and others are more general that can be given through either inhalants and/or intravenous. I understand that a variety of pain relief medication may be given, under proper conditions, at the same time. But I am not sure that I could answer any more than that at this point

Further Return To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 455

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a further question to the Minister of Health in respect to the same issue. The hospital press release states that general anesthesia is not part of the standard of care for therapeutic abortions as established by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Can the Minister very clearly tell the House whether or not patients undergoing abortions at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital can receive anesthesia if they request it, prior to the medical procedure?

Supplementary To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 455

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 455

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I will take the question as notice.

Supplementary To Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Question O374-12(2): Pain Relieving Medication And Anesthetic Compounds
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Question is being taken as notice. Oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital issued a press release which states that all the patients will be given a questionnaire. Can the Minister say if they are available in all the aboriginal languages?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I do not have that information available. I will take the question as notice.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Question is taken as notice. Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Personnel did not really answer my question or take it as notice. Would the Minister of Personnel provide the percentage increase to all Hay Plan employees in 1991 to this House?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question O376-12(2): Pay Increase To Hay Plan Employees
Question O376-12(2): Pay Increase To Hay Plan Employees
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 455

Return To Question O376-12(2): Pay Increase To Hay Plan Employees
Question O376-12(2): Pay Increase To Hay Plan Employees
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Question O377-12(2): Review Of Surgical Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions

March 24th, 1992

Page 455

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health. The Minister indicated earlier that he will...

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

He will not get away.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

...that he will be conducting a public review of the surgical procedures used in abortions at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, and the review will be conducted by the assistant deputy minister of his department. Could the Minister inform this House when this public review will begin?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Return To Question O377-12(2): Review Of Surgical Abortion Procedures
Question O377-12(2): Review Of Surgical Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To clarify, I did not say that a public review would be done by -- check the Hansard -- I merely referred to Dr. Kinloch as being the recipient of any concerns that might be expressed. He would be the person that the Status of Women Council have already met with from our staff. What I was referring to was that if anybody that wanted to express some concern, could get in touch with the Department of Health through Dr. Kinloch. This is what I was referring to and I apologize if I may have caused some confusion, but that was only a contact point. What I was referring to was an independent outside agency that would conduct this review of the procedures, that we will get somebody not associated directly with Stanton Hospital, not associated directly with our department. And that person or persons will organize this review to ascertain what concerns there are, and individuals who are concerned will be asked for their input.

But in the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to assure the House and the public that there was somebody with a medical background, a knowledgeable person, that would receive these calls. If I received a concern I would listen very carefully to the concern but I would only have to refer it to the doctor. And I thought rather than have this two-step process, that I would simplify it by making available competent professional people to address any concerns that the public might have.