Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on February 15, 2005, regarding health services in the Sahtu.
Provide a detailed list of what service will continue to be provided by the Yellowknife and Inuvik offices respectively once the Sahtu Health Authority is fully operational.
The services currently available will continue after the Sahtu authority is operational. In the NWT, health and social services are provided through a primary community care approach. This is a team-based, client-focused approach, where services are provided as close to the client as possible. Depending on the level and type of service required, services are accessed in the individual's home community, at the regional level or the territorial level. A fully operational Sahtu health and social services authority will not impact service delivery.
Primary care services are provided at the community level. These services include First Aid, CPR, well-adult and public health clinics, prenatal and postnatal assessments, limited radiology and lab procedures, such as blood and urine analysis, assessment and treatment of common illnesses, follow-up, aftercare and home support, child and family services, early childhood intervention, public education, screening and assessment, and counselling supporting. Sahtu residents will continue receiving these services in their home communities.
Regional support services include general practitioners, scheduled medical travel, inpatient hospital services, radiology and lab procedures, rehabilitation services, case management and supervision, coordination of health protection, promotion and prevention activities, palliative care, psychiatric crisis services, group home, support and independent living services. Residents will continue to access these services through referrals from the health centres to another health and social services professional who is visiting the community, or the Yellowknife/Stanton or Inuvik authorities.
Territorial support services include specialized procedures and services, some specialized surgeries, intensive care, psychiatric care, coordination of out-of-territory medical services, and specialized treatment and facilities. These services are provided by Stanton Territorial Hospital or through the Capital Health Authority. Residents will continue to access these services through referral by the community or regional centre.
As the Member is aware, the 2005-2006 Main Estimates include the formation of a public health unit in the Sahtu.
A more extensive outline of community, regional and territorial services can be found in the document Integrated Services Delivery Model for the NWT Health and Social Services System - A Plain Language Summary, released by the Department of Health and Social Services in March 2004. The document is available on request or on the department's web site at www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca