Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services was appointed last summer by the previous Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Floyd Roland. Its mandate was to examine the health and social services system through a public consultation process and make recommendations to improve the system.
During their public consultations, the forum heard from over 800 groups, agencies and individuals. Forum members listened to Northwest Territories residents express concerns and possible ways to address these concerns. Then the forum members had the challenging task of summarizing what they heard into a report.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the forum's report has a very good title - Let's Get On With It!. The consultations and final report provide this government with yet another opportunity to evaluate our priorities and current actions. We know that the health and social services system in the Northwest Territories is facing increased challenges in delivering quality and timely care to the people of the Northwest Territories.
The challenges come from a growing and aging population, our vast geography, and higher-than-national rates in some key health concern areas, as highlighted in our Health Status Report. These issues place increasing demands on the system. Workable solutions are needed if we are to continue to meet the needs of our people.
As the forum consultations demonstrate, our strategic plan is focused in the right direction. We are working towards a people-focused system that places the needs of the family first and seeks to find community-based solutions to our health and social issues.
Mr. Speaker, we have been working on strategies and initiatives to improve our system. They include:
- • implementing a recruitment and retention strategy to bring stability to our northern workforce and increase its capacity;
- • implementing a health promotion strategy, placing more focus on preventing health and social conditions;
- • developing a mental health and wellness strategy to address issues like family violence, substance abuse and addictions and to determine the network of services that should be in place; and
- • implementing changes to improve institutional and community-based programs for people requiring continuing care.
As their first priority, the forum has suggested we develop criteria for establishing or continuing with health and social services boards. Concerns regarding the administration and the number of these boards have been raised in the past by MLAs, professional associations and members of the public. The number and variety of board structures can be costly and make it difficult to coordinate effective delivery across the system. Mr. Speaker, I have already directed my department to begin work in this area, and I hope to have options to review this spring.
There are many other examples of our progress. The forum's report has added momentum to the work underway. Later today, I will be tabling the final report of the Minister's forum. I have already instructed my department to begin examining the recommendations contained in the report. I will be inviting stakeholders to comment on the implications these recommendations have for our system. Based on this review, I will table a formal response to the forum's report this spring.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of the forum members, including:
- • Duncan McNeill, Hay River;
- • Glenna Hansen, Inuvik;
- • Don Blaquiere, Fort Simpson;
- • Gina Dolphus, Fort Smith;
- • Hazel Nerysoo, Fort McPherson;
- • Dee McCallum, RN, Yellowknife;
- • Blair Dunbar, Social Worker, Yellowknife; and
- • Ross Wheeler, Yellowknife.
These individuals have demonstrated their passion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of Northerners, and for this we are grateful. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.