Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about a subject that residents of Fort Liard continue to raise with me. It is their preference to visit Fort Nelson in British Columbia when they require medical assessment as Fort Nelson is closer than Yellowknife, only 240 kilometres away from Fort Liard.
Presently, when a nurse in Fort Liard refers a patient for medical assessment and treatment, it is to Yellowknife and the patient has to travel by taxi to Fort Simpson and then fly to Yellowknife, a total of about 544 kilometres for assessment and usually taking up to three days. If the patient cannot be treated at that time, the person is then asked to return later. Or in cases of special need, they may end up flying down to Edmonton.
People in Fort Liard think it makes more sense for them to be referred to Fort Nelson in B.C. for assessment and/or immediate care. If there was a need for further care, however, the patient could be referred to Yellowknife or Edmonton. The medical policy does not support this.
I have raised this issue in the House in the past and I understand setting up of this convenient health delivery method is a challenge. However, I urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to ensure our residents are provided the best health care. An objective of quality health care is to make it as convenient as possible for people suffering from illness to access health services. I urge the Minister to consult with Northern Health in British Columbia to allow for patients of the Northwest Territories to be referred to Fort Nelson for assessment, and if further treatment is required, to be subsequently referred to Yellowknife and/or Edmonton.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister later at the appropriate time. Thank you.