Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Medical travel is something that all our communities have to
deal with in most cases. People are referred from more communities to either regional centres, Yellowknife and also to Edmonton for surgery by way of cancer treatment, back surgery, dental care and other services that are needed in our communities. Mr. Speaker, this last week I received two calls from two constituents who were very upset in regards to their treatment by the Inuvik Regional Health Board in regards to their medical travel.
Mr. Speaker, one patient had to come here to Yellowknife for cancer treatment and surgery and was told you cannot get an escort; travel light, don’t carry anything heavy and you’ll be okay. Mr. Speaker, these patients have to travel long distances and then also be in a hospital for a period of time. Mr. Speaker, I received a phone call this morning from another constituent who has been approved to go to Edmonton for back surgery and being told by his doctor that he cannot have this surgery unless he has an escort. But yet, Mr. Speaker, after going to the health centre yesterday, he was told, sorry, you cannot have an escort and that they will not pay for it.
Mr. Speaker, we are the ones that are referring patients out of our community to get that care. They should have the escort with them when the doctor refers them, saying that the only way that you will get this medical surgery…Then being told, well, after your surgery, you are going to be in a wheelchair. For me, that is a shock enough as it is, but then being told by the health centre that you cannot have an escort because we don’t think you need one. I think that is not appropriate for this government or the Department of Health and Social Services, especially the Inuvik health board telling our patients that we will have to travel to Edmonton for either cancer treatment, back surgery or any type of surgery that they should be accommodated by an escort when they are referred by a doctor. I think when we are undermining a doctor’s decision in order for those patients to have an escort, I should think it should be automatic. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services on this question later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.