Mr. Speaker I am in receipt of Return to Written Question 23-15(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on February 6, 2006, to the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services, regarding agency nurses in the North.
- Can the Minister provide a list of numbers of 2004-2005 agency nurses in the North and what is projected for 2006-2007?
In 2004-2005, the GNWT employed 53 agency nurses and spent $580,632.58 on agency fees. As of November 2005, $354,037 had been spent for 40 nurses.
The Department of Health and Social Services projects that it will spend approximately $300,000 to $500,000 in agency fees in 2006-2007.
Corporate human resources and the regional authorities are working to use the internal GNWT nurse relief pool more effectively. However, there will continue to be times when agency nurses will be used in order to avoid closures of community health centres.
- Can the Minister provide a breakdown of agency nurses in the regions in the year of 2004-2005?
In 2004-2005, the breakdown of agency nurses in the regions was:
Twenty-four agency nurses were used in the Inuvik authority. Eighteen agency nurses were used in the Sahtu authority. Two agency nurses were used in the Yellowknife authority. Two agency nurses were used in the Fort Smith authority. Seven agency nurses were used in the Deh Cho authority.
- Can the Minister provide the average stay in the role as nurses in the regions?
In 2004-2005, the average length of individual contracts for agency nurses was: agency nurses stayed an average of 32 days in the Inuvik authority. Agency nurses stayed an average of 23 days in the Sahtu authority. Agency nurses stayed an average of 12 days in the Yellowknife authority. Agency nurses stayed an average of 23 days in the Fort Smith authority. Agency nurses stayed an average of 19 days in the Deh Cho authority.
- Can the Minister provide an outline of reducing the role of agency nurses in the regions?
Human Resources and the regional authorities are developing an internal relief pool of qualified nurses. As of January 2006, approximately 23 nurses were trained and have started to provide relief services at community health centres.
Human Resources and the regional authorities have also implemented a Community Health Nurse Development Program. This program is a competency-based, on-the-job, development program designed to provide northern nurses with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to provide nursing services at community health centres. This is a two-year development program
To date, two aboriginal registered nurses are enrolled in the program in Deline, Norman Wells, Fort McPherson and Fort Resolution. An additional position is being advertised in Aklavik. The department, authorities and corporate human resources will identify other locations for development opportunities.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.