Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Members of the Legislative Assembly that the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services has begun its work. The forum will focus on ways to sustain and improve the health and social services system in the NWT.
MLAs and other stakeholders in the health and social services system nominated forum members. The nine forum members are:
- Ms. Glenna Hansen, co-hair, Inuvik;
- Mr. Duncan MacNeill, co-chair, Hay River;
- Ms. Rita Cli, Fort Simpson;
- Mr. Don Blaquiere, Fort Smith;
- Dr. Ross Wheeler, Yellowknife, who represents the NWT Medical Association;
- Ms. Dee McCallum, Yellowknife, who represents the NWT Registered Nurses Association;
- Ms. Gina Dolphus, Deline;
- Ms. Hazel Nerysoo, Fort McPherson; and
- Mr. Blair Dunbar, Yellowknife, who represents the NWT Social Workers Association.
All forum members have been involved in the delivery of health and social services in the North. In selecting the members, I tried to achieve a balanced panel. It was difficult to choose from among the many well qualified Northerners nominated to the forum.
The forum members met in Yellowknife July 13-16 for a thorough orientation to the health and social services system and to develop their consultation schedule and work plan. Consultations will take place with the public, professional associations, aboriginal organizations, communities, health and social services boards and other stakeholders.
The purpose of the forum is to recommend ways to improve and sustain the health and social services system. I have asked them to focus on four areas including:
-Leadership and governance of the system;
-Human resources;
-Financial sustainability; and
-Program and service delivery.
Community meetings will be held from August 31 to September 9. Information on meeting times and locations will be advertised in early August.
Northerners who cannot attend a community meeting will be able to make written submissions. Advertisements calling for written submissions will soon appear in community newspapers. A toll-free phone number will also be set up to allow people to call in and give their comments.
Forum members will participate in a territorial health and wellness conference planned for October. At this time they will present an interim report on the results of their community meetings. The forum will then prepare a final report and submit their recommendations for sustaining and improving the health and social services system. I expect to receive their final report in early December.
As Members of this House know, our health and social services system is facing significant challenges. We need to act now to ensure that we have a sustainable and efficient system. I am confident that the forum will provide appropriate and affordable recommendations to ensure that our system continues to provide quality care and remains sustainable in the long term. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause