Mr. Whitford.
Debates of March 30th, 1992
Topics
Supplementary To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Further Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Further Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Ms. Mike.
Supplementary To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Dr. Caplan has made comments that patients are not strapped down or held down during surgical procedures. These comments contradict earlier disclosures made by many women from across the NWT. Is the Minister aware whether or not Dr. Caplan completed a full review of procedures used by all surgeons and physicians at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital before making these comments to the press?
Supplementary To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of what Dr. Caplan has spoken to. Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, the review that will be undertaken will look into the hospital procedures and how they reply, and they will make recommendations that will be made public and brought forward to the House at a later date.
Further Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Supplementary To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing the actions of medical personnel at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital are likely to influence the reputation of the health care delivery system in the NWT, what action is the Minister willing to undertake in order to ensure that public statements by hospital personnel are carefully co-ordinated and factually accurate?
Supplementary To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re: Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps they would best co-ordinate that through Ms. Olenek.
Further Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health. I am very concerned. Last Thursday I asked the Minister of Health if he would develop a directive to eliminate unnecessary pain which is posed on women that have abortion procedures taken through the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. The Minister indicated to this House, "Yes." Today he basically indicates in this House that he said he thought he would consider it. Is the Minister of Health willing to develop a directive to his department which will eliminate unnecessary pain posed on women that have
abortion procedures taken through the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital?
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
Return To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, since the Minister has committed to ensuring that a directive will be developed to eliminate unnecessary pain pose on women, will he request in this directive, when it is developed, that in order to eliminate unnecessary pain that it be in the form of local anesthesia or local anesthetic or general anesthesia?
Supplementary To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I cannot answer that question because it suggests that the Minister of Health would know something about medical procedures and which type of medication to apply, which kind of anesthetics to apply within specific instances. I think I said that the Stanton board had already assured that the medical profession were aware of the concerns of women and that they have taken these steps to provide this additional pain control medication through the inhalant method. I was assured that this stuff is fast-acting and the requirements could be administered by the individual to the level that they would require.
As far as writing a directive to the doctors to tell them what kind of medication to apply, I think that is best left to the medical profession rather than the Minister. But I will issue the directive to do something, which has already been done.
Further Return To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, if the Minister has committed to this House to request that a directive be developed to eliminate unnecessary pain, and since he indicated that he does not know whether he should tell the doctor whether it should be local anesthetic or whatever type of pain reliever, I would like to ask the Minister why can he not commit to this House that local anesthetic or general anesthetic should be used when abortion procedures are done through the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital?
Supplementary To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I do not know how many times I can say it. I am not a doctor so I do not know what is best for one situation over another. I cannot instruct doctors as to what to do. I can only assure the Members that the medical profession has already taken steps to ensure there is a minimum amount of pain caused to patients that are receiving these delicate procedures. I have explained this to the Member, I do not know how many times.
Further Return To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Supplementary To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
A few minutes ago my colleague, Mr. Nerysoo, asked the Minister if he felt that he had the authority to instruct doctors or for directives to be developed accordingly, which would require medical procedures used. The Minister indicated - I believe after some time he recognized his authority and he now is indicating that he cannot tell a doctor what to do. The Minister is responsible for the doctors' actions, and unfortunately the doctors' actions are causing unnecessary pain to women. When the Minister of Health issues a directive to his department that eliminates unnecessary pain for women, will he request that local or general anesthetic be administered to women who have abortions performed?
Supplementary To Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Question O445-12(2): Abortion Pain Elimination Directive For Doctors
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 513
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.