Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the new chairman of the new Stanton hospital board who has worked along with the rest of the members of the hospital to see how much can be provided and how we could meet some of the long outstanding repatriation initiatives. It was recommended that the new or enhanced services of phase II of the repatriation initiative -- which will meet the needs that are currently not met -- be brought closer to home.

Phase I of the development began in July 1991 when Stanton Hospital was given approval for several enhanced new programs and these services were expected to repatriate the Northwest Territories residents from the south and to increase the number of services provided in the north. In March 1995, the Financial Management Board approved the following enhancements to the Stanton Hospital: new EFTs for a second general surgeon; ear/nose and throat specialist and paediatrician; expanded services for visiting neurology and urology; general support services for obstetrics and gynaecology; new patient care programs in metabolic education; kidney dialysis; and, electroconvulsive therapy.

Mr. Speaker, as well, because of the concern about the issue of speech pathologists, there has been an increase in the number of speech pathologists on staff by 1.5 person years, due to the fact that by increasing the ear/nose and throat team, they would save a significant amount of money currently being spent to refer children to the south.

In addition, Stanton is in the process of implementing a reorganization which is expected to free up enough resources to allow them to add an additional 1.5 person years on a temporary basis to clear up the backlog and complete assessments of the need for the services in Yellowknife. I believe this is in place.

Mr. Speaker, those are the main initiatives that have been discussed in terms of repatriation initiatives to extend the development of the Stanton Hospital. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

All of these services, Mr. Speaker, are intended to be added almost immediately, or as soon as recruitment is effective. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the number of speech pathologists on staff will be increased by 1.5 and this is an ongoing position. The second 1.5 PYs will be on a temporary basis to clear up the backlog and complete an assessment of the need for services in the Yellowknife area. This, I assume, will be a temporary position until that backlog is caught up and the assessments have been done. At this point in time, I have no way of knowing how long those assessments will take. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.