Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Pokiak on October 22, 2004, regarding escorts for medical travel.
1. The number of patients from Nunakput who were denied escorts and why.
The medical travel policy identified two types of escorts, medical and non-medical. Medical escorts are health care professionals who need to provide professional care to the patient while traveling. A non-medical escort is an adult who is authorized to accompany a patient who is unable to travel without some assistance or who is authorized to stay for part or all of the medical treatment. The department pays for the travel expenses of these escorts. Provided they cover their travel expenses, family members are also always able to accompany a patient who is traveling to receive medical care and treatment.
2. Who makes the final decisions for patients requiring escorts?
The referring health professional or physician makes the recommendations regarding the need for escorts and non-medical escorts. The medical travel officers at the Stanton Territorial Hospital, and the Inuvik and Fort Smith health and social services authorities ensure that recommendations and requests for non-medical escorts meet the criteria outlined in the medical travel policy. Medical travel officers may ask the health professional making the referral to review the circumstances relating to the need for an escort or non-medical escort. Appeals of their decisions can be made to the territorial services division of the Department of Health and Social Services.
Beginning in the new year, Stanton's medical director will be involved in reviewing all medical travel referrals.
3. Information on the policy for travel of patients who require escorts.
The medical travel policy outlines the criteria for both medical and non-medical escorts. The policy is a public document which can be accessed on the Government of the Northwest Territories web site, at www.gov.nt.ca/publications/policies.
4. How does the department keep the families informed when their loved ones are traveling for medical reasons?
In general, a patient's medical condition is very personal and private. Most patients manage their own communications with their family members. Unless the patient is a dependent, health care professionals do not
normally discuss the patient's condition with family members. There are times, such as when a patient is not able to make decisions about their treatment, that other arrangements are needed. In these situations, health care professionals will take steps to ensure communications are maintained with the family.
When a patient has been receiving medical care and treatment at a regional, territorial or southern health centre, the health professionals will, as part of case management or discharge planning, communicate with the patient, the family and local health care providers to ensure that the patient is able to continue accessing required services and care. These discussions may be undertaken by telephone or by video conferencing in communities that are equipped with televideo or telemedicine units. When necessary, arrangements can also be made to have official language service providers available to participate in the teleconferencing.