One of these pertains to the number of aboriginal people currently engaged in health care careers in the Northwest Territories. During consultation sessions with the health and hospital boards in November, Members of the committee noted a uniform commitment on the part of board representatives to increasing the number of aboriginal people entering and finding employment in the health field.

The boards have experienced varying levels of success with respect to aboriginal hiring. The Auditor General reported that, although the proportion of aboriginal staff at regional health boards ranges around 40 per cent, the percentage working in hospital settings in western urban centres is much lower. This was consistent with figures provided to the standing committee by health and hospital boards during the November 21 consultation sessions.

In addition, it was brought to the standing committee's attention that a majority of the aboriginal people working for all health and hospital boards are employed in jobs that would be most accurately described as " support position," and generally at the lower end of the salary schedule.

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions is of the opinion that the current level of representation by aboriginal workers within the health system is unacceptable. The workforce which delivers health services at the community level should be reflective of the population it serves. There must be a renewed emphasis toward achieving this goal.

The over-all strategy for attracting aboriginal people to work in the health system is probably best developed at a territorial level and coordinated by the Department of Health. In this respect, relatively little seems to have been accomplished.

However, it is important all stakeholders in the health system should see themselves as part of the solution. The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions believes that there is much that health and hospital boards could do in terms of promoting community awareness of health careers and in providing support to staff who are of aboriginal descent. A priority should be placed on identifying and implementing such strategies by each of the health and hospital boards.

Staff Training

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions is concerned that current fiscal pressures should not result in less access to training opportunities for health and hospital board staff. Although board representatives were generally satisfied with current programs for training staff, there was some concern that funding shortages may limit accessibility and, therefore, impact on the quality of care and on staff morale.

As well, there was some concern in the Baffin region about the status of the outpost nursing program. Apparently, this is a training resource that has worked well in meeting the training needs of professional staff in the Baffin region but territorial involvement has recently been curtailed.

Interpreter/Translator Services

Members of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions raised a number of concerns with respect to interpreter services that are provided within hospitals and other health care facilities throughout the Northwest Territories. There was a general apprehension that insufficient attention has been placed on ensuring a systematic approach to the delivery of these essential services.

It was noted, for instance, that the interpretation of medical terminology and treatment instructions requires a level of linguistic understanding and confidence that cannot be obtained through casual hiring or part-time interpreters. This is particularly important when patients who are not fluent in English are medevaced to southern medical institutions.

Of particular concern to the standing committee, as well, was the fact that interpreters in hospital settings are classified at a lower level than those in the territorial language bureau. as a result, there has been consistent difficulty at some hospitals with respect to recruiting and retaining persons for these positions. Board representatives indicate that this has been a serious point of contention for them, as well.

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions is of the opinion that a major review should be undertaken by the Department of Health with respect to current adequacy and future directions for language services within the territorial health system. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.