Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member's statement, my questions today are going to be for the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, the Minister of Health and Social Services.
As I said in my statement, Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the challenges which face this particular ministry and the many things which are affecting our ability to deliver quality health services to the people of the Northwest Territories. But we have a very urgent situation in Hay River which will not be addressed by some of the long-term solutions and initiatives that are being looked at by Mr. Miltenberger's department.
We have people who are being turned away from the medical clinic. The staff that we have there right now is very quickly beginning to feel the effects of the stress of being worked beyond their capacity. I am afraid for the well-being of our residents as they need health care services and are not able to access them. I would like to ask the Minister what kind of temporary, short-term help he could offer Hay River in this very dire situation. Is he aware of how many doctors there are there right now? Is he aware of the status of the facility in Hay River? I will have further questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.