Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update my honourable colleagues and the public on the reform initiatives underway in the Department of Health and Social Services. As you know, the department wishes to create a sustainable health and social services system -- one that provides the care people need in the most effective way. Change is necessary to achieve this. Together with our partners, we have committed to reform based on sound principles. The first step in this process has been to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the current system, with an assessment of the challenges and options facing us.
Earlier this year, the department contracted with a multi-disciplinary group of health and social service professionals, Med-Emerg International, to carry out this analysis and prepare a strategic directions document. The Med-Emerg consultants met with department staff, health boards, and community leaders in each region. They reviewed the wealth of information that has been gathered over the years. In their final report, the Med-Emerg consultants have raised points which form a useful base for further discussions on the strategic plan.
Some of the areas covered in the Med-Emerg report include:
- a proposed organizational framework for Health and Social Services;
- a description of the demographics of the NWT, a profile of the diseases and social conditions affecting northerners and their health;
- recommended strategies for development of the social services and the health system;
- a review of the human resource issues facing health and social services, with strategies for recruiting, developing and retaining staff;
- a formula funding approach based on the population and needs of regions and communities; and
- recommendations for improving the governance of the health and social services system.
Public discussion of the strategic planning process will be coordinated by regional health boards, with the assistance of the department. The boards will be meeting with people in their regions until mid-October. Department staff will work with them, listen to the public comments, and analyze the information gathered in those meetings with a view to having a final strategic plan ready early in the New Year. In the meantime, the department is able to continue to progress in areas that are consistent with our overall goals for improving the system. For example - the decentralization of Mackenzie Regional Health Services is substantially completed. Seven new governing bodies in the south Mackenzie will bring greater control of health and social services to the regional and community level. Public hearings on the new Child and Family Services Act are in progress and work to significantly improve the delivery of child welfare services is well underway.
Other reforms continue to be implemented in the fields of addiction services, long term care, repatriation of northern patients from southern institutions and the development of an integrated information system for the department.
A discussion paper on formula funding has been distributed to health boards. Work on the formula is expected to be completed by August. Boards and the department are working together to develop a memorandum of understanding which will clearly describe their respective roles now and into the future. The department is making organizational changes to support strategic reform and to prepare for division.
Mr. Speaker, I believe we are heading in the right direction. My staff and I look forward to working with the public and our other partners to develop a strategic plan which will set clear direction for the development of effective, responsive health and social services in both new territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.