Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our health is one of the most important issues to all Northerners, and it is often an emotional one, as it directly affects our quality of life and that of our family, children, elders and friends. The people of the NWT need to have the confidence and comfort knowing that the necessary health and social service supports will continue to be available, when needed.
Today, I would like to take the opportunity to provide an update on actions the department and authorities are taking to address these issues.
In February of this year I brought together the leadership of the health and social services system to begin work on 45 actions to improve the overall management and delivery of services to NWT people. These actions, summarized in the Health and Social Services System Action Plan reflect recommendations made to the department, past Ministers and this government in public consultations and system-wide reviews over the past few years. The department and authorities join me in saying this is an ambitious plan with ambitious timelines, but will result in immediate and long-lasting improvements to our system.
However, the litmus test for me, Mr. Speaker, is that this action plan continues to be as relevant today as it was eight months ago - which has been reinforced as I continue to meet directly with residents and health care staff across the North to hear their concerns.
When I became Minister, almost a year ago, I committed to visit every community in the NWT to meet with the leaders, community members and front-line staff, to listen to their health and social services concerns. To date I have visited all but three communities, which I intend to visit in the next few weeks.
In every community I have seen and heard that we have dedicated staff providing high quality health and social services to NWT residents. The frontline workers doctors, nurses, social workers, allied health professionals and support staff -- are the backbone of the NWT health and social services system. Their continued dedication and service, often going the extra mile, is greatly appreciated.
However, I have also heard that there is more that we should be doing to improve the delivery of health and social services, and to recruit, retain and support staff. I recognize there are immediate problems that must be addressed.
Mr. Speaker, one of the commitments I made is to provide regular reporting on our progress. The status report to be tabled this afternoon does just that - it reports on the activities and accomplishments during the first seven months of implementation of the action plan. The department and authorities, in consultation with professional organizations and stakeholders, have been working non-stop on the implementation of the plan. By March 2003 we will have completed just over half of the 45 action items.
In addition to the specific tasks in the action plan the department and authorities have continued to work on many initiatives that were previously in progress, as well as giving attention to urgent issues, in response to concerns from residents and Members of this House.
Significant progress has and will continue to be made in the months to come. Several key actions and initiatives will be finalized for review and discussion in the weeks ahead. Highlights include:
- • an action plan outlining activities to strengthen programs and services available to seniors was approved and is in the process of being implemented;
- • along with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment we are continuing to work with our partners on the implementation of the Early Childhood Development Action Plan to achieve the vision that the NWT will be a place where children are born healthy and raised in safe and respectful families and communities which support them in developing to their fullest potential;
- • a Retention and Recruitment Plan for Allied Health Care Professionals, Nurses and Social Workers, to address the immediate and longer term staffing shortages, will be finalized in early November 2002, to be shared with the public soon after;
- • a framework for an Integrated Services Delivery Model has been developed with initial action plans to be finalized in early November 2002 for;
- Addictions and Mental Health Services
- Continuing Care Services
- • a Discussion Paper for the review of Supplementary Health Benefits is being finalized for public consultation and review in November 2002.
Some of the changes to the system, such as the development of an integrated service delivery model, requires that we examine fundamental questions about how health and social services are delivered in the NWT, the types of front-line professionals in the system, how do they provide services and in what setting. The work requires that we challenge current norms of service delivery in order to eliminate the stovepipes in service delivery that exist and it may, in some instances, redefine roles and responsibilities within the team of service providers. These changes will require careful consideration and consultation, and we will all have to work together to make difficult choices and decisions.
Mr. Speaker, we have not completed all tasks on time. Some adjustments to timelines have had to be made because of financial constraints. And some adjustments have been required to ensure appropriate consultation and involvement with stakeholders. The status report presents revised time lines that takes into consideration these factors. I look forward to questions and requests for additional information from Members on this status report. It s a priority that all NVVT residents and this House are kept informed of our progress.
Improving the NWT health and social services system is a campaign on many fronts. It requires that we stay the course to make the necessary improvements to ensure the long-term sustainability of the health and social services system, while recognizing that issues arise that require our immediate attention as well.
Mr. Speaker. the people of the Northwest Territories are our greatest resource. Continuing development of the North, whether it is social, economic or political development is dependent upon the strength of our northern community. The programs and services delivered by the health and social services authorities, and the many non-government organizations, are an essential part of our social safety net, enabling Northerners to be healthy and self-reliant, to fully participate in the opportunities that the North provides. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause