Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps the Minister does have overall authority over hospitals...
Debates of March 30th, 1992
Topics
Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Exactly.
Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
... but I am not sure whether or not he has the authority to direct doctors to practise medicine in a certain fashion.
Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister of Health not think that he has the power and authority to procedures?
Supplementary To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I think licensing a doctor and telling a doctor what kind of anesthetics to apply are two different matters. The Minister may have the authority to license medical practitioners, but I do not think he has the authority to dictate what types of medication to apply. Mr. Speaker, I think I have answered the question to assuage any fears that Members may have that abortions are going to continue to be administered without any pain control or controlling medication. The directive has been given by Stanton to the medical people as to what the concerns are, and the medical profession agreed to that and has come up with a form of medication that would allow patients to undergo such procedures as D and Cs and abortions without the feeling of unnecessary pain. That pain medication would be controlled by themselves. They have self-administered, inhalant devises that will allow them to take as much or as little as they feel is necessary.
Further Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Does the Minister of Health not think that he has the power, the authority, and the legislative responsibility, or the responsibility, to set standards and direct boards of health to maintain certain types of medical standards and medical practices in their hospitals?
Supplementary To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 511
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
While this may be true, I am not sure what, and I do not think anyone is sure what, the "proper" procedure is. We have heard experts on all sides of this issue suggest which way is better, one way or the other; and again, I am going to point out that because of the confusion surrounding what is right and what is not right, or better or not better, I think this is what this independent review will bring forward to the public to let them know what procedures are being used.
Further Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Final supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.
Supplementary To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Final supplementary on this matter of authority. Does the Minister, in listening to his response, not feel that he has the legislative authority to instruct hospitals to maintain certain standards?
Supplementary To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not entirely sure of my total authority, but I see the Member has a reference book, which I have not got in front of me, to determine my total authority in this matter. I understand that I do have it, so I will have to say "Yes."
Further Return To Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Question O443-12(2): Abortions In Relation To This Act
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Ms. Mike.
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. I have a question for the Minister of Health. Could the Minister please inform the House, who has the responsibility to act as spokesman for the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital in responding to reports that women are subjected to painful surgical procedures when undergoing abortion?
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I think that if any person is experiencing some concern with the medical procedure that is taking place, in any medical facility, the first person they should address that to is the attending physician. I think subsequent to that...
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Point of order, Ms. Mike.
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. I am not asking who women should direct their complaints to; I am asking who has the responsibility to act as spokesman for the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, concerning abortions.
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
That is not a point of order, Ms. Mike. Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Procedures Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Hospital Spokesperson Re Abortion Procedures
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 512
Return To Question O444-12(2): Stanton Yellowknife Procedures 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. Perry Caplan, of the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, has made public statements that the hospital's policy of not routinely giving anesthetic to women having abortions is in the patients' best interests. Can the Minister confirm whether this is the formal position of either the hospital board or the territorial Department of Health?