Mr. Speaker, if I could ask the Minister of Health why he has changed from a public review to an independent review of the surgical procedures that are being carried out on behalf of people in the NWT at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. Why is he limiting it only to the Stanton?
Debates of March 26th, 1992
Topics
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had indicated earlier on, and I had erred in saying a 'public" review. What I was referring to, and it has always been the intention, that this be a independent review of which the results would be made public. It is not a public review. No one changed my mind. I recognize the word that I had said would suggest it would be a public review, but it will have public input. But the results of it were to be made public.
Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
How is the Minister going to ensure that the regions and those others hospitals that refer patients to this hospital, are going to have an input into the review, if it is not a public review?
Supplementary To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I intend to work as closely as I can on this matter and the terms of reference will direct the review committee to include whatever is necessary
Further Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
If I could ask the Minister of Health and his advisors, whoever they may be, will the Minister commit to this House that the general public will have an opportunity to have input into the review of the surgical procedures at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital?
Supplementary To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Could I ask the Minister of Health if he could also provide the necessary expertise for those that are going to be appearing or challenging the remarks or comments of officials, either within his department or at the Yellowknife Stanton Hospital?
Supplementary To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
It is not clear what the Member is referring to by challenging. I think we are looking here for a fact finding mission to determine certain procedures that are associated with medical abortions here in the hospital. I am not sure how else I can answer this. I do not know what is to be challenged.
Further Return To Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Question O390-12(2): Limiting Review Of Surgical Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Arvaluk.
Question O391-12(2): Minister Being Made Aware Of Complaints
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 25th, 1992
Page 471
James Arvaluk Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. You said you had knowledge of complaints made by some patients. Where did you learn of that complaint, from the patient or the hospital?
Question O391-12(2): Minister Being Made Aware Of Complaints
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O391-12(2): Minister Being Made Aware Of Complaints
Question O391-12(2): Minister Being Made Aware Of Complaints
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Return To Question O391-12(2): Minister Being Made Aware Of Complaints
Question O391-12(2): Minister Being Made Aware Of Complaints
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Question O392-12(2): Endurance Of Pain And Reviewing The Issue Of Abortion
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 471
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to try and wrap this issue up. If I do not get a direct answer, I am not going to wrap it up. So do not try to sigh too quick. The point I want to bring, and I have to preamble this issue, is the fact that medical procedures in this Stanton Yellowknife Hospital on abortions are being used where it is allowing women to endure the pain but it is not used in other parts of the country. I quote Dr. Morgentaler this morning on CBC,
Question O392-12(2): Endurance Of Pain And Reviewing The Issue Of Abortion
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 472
Question O392-12(2): Endurance Of Pain And Reviewing The Issue Of Abortion
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 472
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Kakfwi, point of order.
Point Of Order
Question O392-12(2): Endurance Of Pain And Reviewing The Issue Of Abortion
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 472
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member is making allegations against doctors and medical practitioners at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, that are not substantiated and they are allegations that are not serving the public any good. I do not believe they are serving my constituents and I object to the questioning.
Speaker's Ruling
Question O392-12(2): Endurance Of Pain And Reviewing The Issue Of Abortion
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 472
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
If I could read the rule that has been quoted by Mr. Kakfwi, "If he... makes allegations against another Member, an official or a witness." As Speaker I am having some difficulty with this particular debate. Yesterday in response to oral questions there were pages and pages and pages of responses. The responses touched on every aspect of this very complex issue. I see that the Members have a right to clarify and to understand better definitive responses. At this point, I do not see how this is a point of order. The rule is not intended to protect every official in the Territories and every official in the country. It seems to me it is very salient to this debate that these facts are discussed opening and fairly. So I do not see it as a point of order.
--- Applause
Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Question O392-12(2): Endurance Of Pain And Reviewing The Issue Of Abortion
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 472
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I will try once again without being interrupted to pose my question to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, the issue at hand is the fact that a medical procedure used in one of our hospitals to deliver a service to the patients and people of the NWT is basically a procedure that allows for women to endure pain. I am concerned with that particular issue, that unnecessary pain is having to be endured. I would like to ask the Minister, recognizing that this pain is being endured by women, with no anaesthetic being given to alleviate the pain, why does he feel he has to review the issue of how abortions are done at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital?