Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk

In the Legislative Assembly on September 22nd, 1998. See this topic in context.

Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 134

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is related to my Member's statement on medical services available in the community of Tuktoyaktuk. My questions are directed to the honourable Mr. Ng, Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my statement today, people are having to do with reduced services in the community and according to the information I have been given, use of staff that might not be qualified to actually diagnose whether a person is in need of medical attention or not.

Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to clarify that I am not suggesting that the person, the receptionist in particular, that I am referring to here is not qualified to do her job as a receptionist, and I am sure she is just trying to help out in a situation that is coming out of hand, so to speak. I commend her, in a way, in her efforts to help out. However, I am concerned, as my constituents are as to the department now having to use receptionists to evaluate what a person's medical needs are. That is one of my particular concerns. Yesterday the Minister did not indicate, Mr. Speaker, that he was, in fact, prepared to provide this House with a report on what is actually available in Tuktoyaktuk, as far as medical services are concerned.

Mr. Speaker, last night I received a report which serves to compound the situation. They have had a very recent medevac with a suggestion of meningitis. Now this serves to make people more concerned as to whether or not medical services would be available to handle an epidemic or what could result from the meningitis situation. I do not know if the Minister is aware of this or not, but this is the information I received last night.

My question to the Minister is, could he look into whether if in fact, there is a meningitis situation in Tuktoyaktuk? Could he report to the House as to what medical services are available to the community in the nursing station? Thank you.

Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 134

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. I heard two questions. The honourable Minister for Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 134

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will check with the information the honourable Member has provided in respect to the issue if, in fact, there is a concern about meningitis. I would like to assure the Member and his constituents if there is a situation, where there are immediate needs to be addressed because of an outbreak of some form of virus or infectious diseases, certainly the resources would be put into that community right away to contain and deal with that. That is our obligation to address that need.

In respect to the question about reporting back on the situation, the status of Tuktoyaktuk, his health centre. I have no problems with doing that, Mr. Speaker. We will get the information as fast as we can and report back. Thank you.

Return To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 134

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Supplementary To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 134

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary is in regard to now that there is a plan to close the House by Friday, would the Minister have a report on the situation in Tuktoyaktuk before closing the House? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 134

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

September 21st, 1998

Page 135

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will put it together as quickly as we can. If we fail to be able to provide it before the House recesses, then certainly the information will be provided as soon as possible. After that, whether it is directly, in written correspondence or verbally or both. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 135

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. Steen.

Supplementary To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 135

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my next supplementary is on a larger scale. Mr. Speaker, when we were dealing with the issue of medical services in the Keewatin in this House, the department and I believe the Premier, spoke towards having what you would call a trouble shooting crew available of high government officials which would be available to go into different regions and assess the problems down there and the boards if necessary. I am wondering if this group of government officials has been put together and whether or not they are, in fact, being utilized? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 135

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 135

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not certain of which team of individuals the honourable Member refers to, but I can speak in respect on the Health and Social Services side. When the issue of all the concerns that came out of the Keewatin as a result of activities that are taking place, we made a commitment to establish a board support system with the department that works directly with boards. That is why we are cognizant of the issue of the recruitment and retention issue that we are facing right now, particularly in the nursing section throughout the territories.

In response, that unit is still available and working with the boards to gather the information and to try to assist in putting together a work plan to address the issue. There is also another aspect of the whole recruitment and retention plan, was having a pool of health professionals available to be based, first of all in Stanton, here in Yellowknife, to be accessible primarily to their service area right now and to provide some relief when it is required for communities or health centres that may be under stress as a result of having a shortage of health care personnel. That unit is still being in the process of being established. I do not know exactly to date how many people they have on site or available. I will check into that and report back. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Question 67-13(6): Medical Services In Tuktoyaktuk
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 135

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. Oral questions. The Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen.