Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that last Thursday, the Financial Management Board approved inclusion of $1.55 million in capital funding in the 1998/99 Supplementary Appropriation No. 3, for the Department of Health and Social Services.
Included in this funding is:
- a $500,000 contribution to the Stanton Regional Hospital Board to assist in the acquisition of a CAT scanner;
- $300,000 for furnishings and equipment for the soon to be completed health centre in Gjoa Haven; and,
- $750,000 for contributions to boards to address urgent minor capital requirements that could not be funded this year.
Mr. Speaker, the Stanton Regional Health Board, through its foundation, has been pursuing the acquisition of a CAT scanner for some time. Today, we are happy to announce this government's contribution which will bring this pursuit closer to realization. The Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation was
established to help meet the funding needs for medical equipment at Stanton Regional Hospital. Several pieces of equipment have been identified as being required. The CAT scanner, which is a very important diagnostic tool, is at the top of the list. I urge all Members of this House and the general public to generously support the efforts of the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation in their continuing quest to raise additional funding for medical equipment. As Members may know, a CAT scanner is a system that reconstructs cross sectional images of the human body. The acquisition of the scanner and the establishment of a CAT Scanning Program will support and enhance the Diagnostic Imaging Program for the Stanton region. This will provide more effective diagnosis and treatment for residents in the region and will decrease the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.
In summary, Mr. Speaker, the proposed CAT Scan service will support NWT health care practitioners in providing a higher quality service:
- by assisting in patient diagnosis and treatment;
- by facilitating better decision making about southern referrals; and,
- by allowing practitioners to maintain professional skill levels.
Practitioners' support is a key ingredient in recruiting and retaining health professionals in the north, and many specialists rely on the availability of CAT Scan technology. Mr. Speaker, with respect to the second item of newly approved capital funding, I am pleased to say that the new health centre in Gjoa Haven, which will replace the present facility, is nearing completion.
In the past, the expectation has been that the necessary furnishings and equipment in an existing facility could be transferred to a new facility. Therefore, the department has not included furnishing and equipment for replacement projects in their budget. However, given the environment of fiscal restraint, the department has been unable to maintain an active minor capital replacement program. As a consequence, the equipment in the existing Gjoa Haven facility is in very poor shape, and a significant portion needs to be replaced. The recently approved funding will allow for this replacement.
Mr. Speaker, each year the minor capital requests that the department receives from boards far exceed available funding. Requests typically exceed funding by $2 million or more. Knowing this, boards only bring forward their most critical needs. The department is attempting to address this chronic shortfall and minor capital through the business plan. However, there are significant critical needs that need to be addressed now.
Mr. Speaker, aging facilities and equipment continue to place pressure on the health and social services system to maintain essential assets. The financial resources currently available to maintain the existing infrastructure have been and continue to be, insufficient to meet urgent requirements of the boards.
Included in these urgent requirements are items such as:
- medical equipment including dialysis machines, fetal monitors, infant warmers;
- other equipment such as hospital beds and stretches;
- upgraded phone systems and workstations in community facilities;
- renovations to facilities such as painting and replacing carpeting; and,
- vehicle replacements.
These capital purchases will ensure that quality programs and services can continue to be delivered. Capital equipment and facilities that are rapidly nearing the end of their useful and sometimes safe life, if not replaced or renovated, will cause the shutting down of programs and could even mean the closing of facilities. These purchases will also address fire and other safety code issues. Mr. Speaker, we all know that fiscal restraint of the past few years has had a major impact on our ability to provide quality health and social services. However, I am pleased to say that this government has demonstrated its willingness to recognize and address these difficulties by approving funding for these urgent capital requirements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause