Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Program evaluation and monitoring board standards. The committee was pleased that the department is fulfilling its responsibility to ensure adequate access to health care and will be providing the boards with a measure of assistance. The committee was very concerned that all residents of the Northwest Territories receive equal access to all programs funded by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Members understand that the present funding arrangements allow the boards flexibility to deal with the concerns in their own jurisdictions. However, it must be made clear to the boards that they are responsible for the delivery of all programs funded by the government and cannot select programs to deliver. Over the course of the last year, it has become apparent that the devolution of responsibilities to the boards may have occurred at a rate faster than the board's ability to absorb the changes. Members feel that a uniform set of guidelines on the standards to which boards are expected to adhere would assist the boards to take on new programs and services. The committee looks forward to receiving some terms of reference for the program evaluation and monitoring division and would like to review copies of the guidelines and standards developed for the boards at the earliest opportunity.
Administration costs, in discussion with the Minister, the committee learned that administration costs averaged between 8 percent and 12 percent at the board of management level. It is hoped that this percentage can be reduced and that any savings realized can be used to deliver client-driven programs. The committee is optimistic that the program evaluation and monitoring unit of the department will be able to identify cost savings for the boards of management. While maintaining the independence of the present boards, the committee looks forward to being advised of progress on the reduction of administration costs.
Physician recruiting, the committee was pleased to hear that the department was working with the NWT Medical Association to develop a plan and report on physician recruiting for the NWT by the end of 1997. The committee looks forward to reviewing the report and discussing the recommendations made. There was a concern that competition among the boards for physicians may be contributing to the shortage of physicians. The committee encourages the department to work with the NWT Medical Association and the health boards to develop innovative solutions to address the doctor's shortage in the NWT and requests a brief overview on the current level of this shortage.
Health care dollars spent outside the NWT, as the Minister stated, $22 million is spent on health care for residents receiving treatment outside the territories. While the committee recognizes that it is not realistic to provide all services to the residents of the Northwest Territories at a local and regional level and that there will probably always be a need for outside services, Members feel that the government can improve on this figure. With the great strides made by the colleges in providing nursing programs over the past couple of years, there is an opportunity to repatriate more people to their home communities from southern institutions. The department must take a lead role in identifying those patients who can be repatriated and provide the local boards with the necessary level of support to reintegrate the patient back into their home community. The committee looks forward to progress on this issue as a reduction in the money spent on health care in the south and would appreciate receiving a breakdown of the $22 million spent on health care outside the Northwest Territories.
In regard to travel, this is an important issue to many residents of the NWT, particularly, in the east where travel costs are prohibitive. The committee understands the previous Travel Program was lax and that there were significant abuses. This being said, Members feel the government needs to refine its definition of compassionate travel and communicate this definition to the boards. The committee recommends that, as part of the department's development of the minimum standards and guidelines for hospitals and health boards, the issue of compassionate travel be addressed to ensure that criteria and guidelines provide for fair and equitable access. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.