There are a variety of issues on the table that we are working with right now. First of all, on a very general level, we are trying to improve the amount of communication that goes on between the NWT Medical Association, the boards and ourselves to look at barriers to retention of physicians. We are certainly trying to involve physicians actively in the reform projects. It is our view and the view of the medical association that there are things that can be done differently to ensure we can become a more attractive jurisdiction for physicians, and we can keep physicians longer. We have granted some flexibility to the boards as well. For instance, in the Inuvik board they had the flexibility to arrange a capped fee schedule for the doctors, where they could actually give some certainty in terms of the total fee available in the Inuvik region for physician. With respect to the Keewatin Board, we have been in active discussions with the board and the Northern Medical Unit based primarily in Churchill, aimed at bringing both services and some physician positions into Rankin. The view of the board and physicians in Rankin, is that there had to be a minimum of two so they could provide mutual support for each other. We have been facilitating those discussions and it appears now that we are going to be successful, primarily on behalf of the board and their efforts, to bring two physicians into Rankin which, in their view, has been a significant success. Those are some of the approaches and efforts that all three parties have been taking. Thank you.
Mr. Ramsden on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 20th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 19th, 1997
Page 750
Ramsden
See context to find out what was said next.