In the Legislative Assembly on June 12th, 1995. See this topic in context.

Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1258

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for Health. Last week I made a statement regarding the recent closure of the surgery ward at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. As I said then, I was informed the ward has been closed since March and will likely be closed through the summer. I would like to ask the Minister of Health whether the hospital administrators gave notice of this closure to the Minister or to her deputy minister.

Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the board of the Stanton Hospital informed me that they wanted to make some changes to make best use of their resources, and I believe, as well, the deputy minister was informed that there would be some changes in order to make best use of the resources that the hospital has in serving the patients. Thank you.

Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my last public meeting, a number of my constituents expressed great concern at this closure of this ward, and I've heard subsequent to my statement even more concerns. Even though there are excellent reasons for the temporary closure of the ward, and I think we can appreciate their reasons for it, many of the clients of Stanton Hospital were or are unaware of these reasons and they merely noticed the inconvenience of the closure once they Were there. Will the Minister consider directing the hospital administrator to provide better information to clients and to the public on these matters?

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, now that we do have a hospital administrator, I will talk to the chairman of the Stanton Hospital board. He is aware that communications can be better. As the Member probably would acknowledge, for a time we did not have a permanent hospital administrator. This position has been filled. An individual has been identified and needs a couple of weeks to get oriented. We will pass the message on to this individual through the chairman of the Stanton board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, one other concern that I would like to clarify. Stanton Hospital is the largest and is the best equipped hospital north of the 60th parallel. In recent years, Stanton Hospital has been building a strong reputation and public image as a first-class health centre, and I am concerned that this closure may tarnish this reputation. Will the Minister assure us that she will work with the Stanton hospital board and administration to ensure that the public and health clients are kept better informed and that the reputation of this fine institution is well preserved?

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Just to make sure that communication is at its best today, the surgical unit was closed due to a low patient count or census and, as I stated earlier, it was an adjustment that was made. The actual operating unit was not disbanded or anything like that at all. The facility continues to operate in the same manner. The operating room remains open and in use, and the patients do not have to wait any longer for surgery as a result of this closure. It is just a reorganization of where patients are put. Just to assure the patients out there who are using the Stanton Hospital, there is no diminishing of the service in any way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for the record, I would like to ask the Minister of Health if there has, as a result of this closure, been any change in service? Have there been any patients sent to Edmonton for surgery as a result of this closure?

Supplementary To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 11th, 1995

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, there has been no diminishing of the services whatsoever. Patients are still referred to Stanton. As I said earlier, the operating room remains open and in use, and the patients are well cared for at the Stanton Hospital, and, although they are not in the surgical ward and bedded in the surgical ward, they are accommodated elsewhere in the hospital.

It is anticipated that there will be a reopening of the surgical ward itself in August or September when we implement the new surgical services we have identified in our budget for Stanton.

So, just to restate once again, there is no diminishing of services. Patients are well cared for and there have been no patients sent south as a result of the closure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Question 581-12(7): Closure Of Surgery Ward At Stanton Yk Hospital
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1259

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.