Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories

In the Legislative Assembly on March 29th, 2021. See this topic in context.

Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

Page 2570

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 11, 2021, the Minister of Health and Social Services made an announcement regarding long-term care bed projections for the NWT. Minister Green explained that the Department of Health had updated its data stream and worked with the Bureau of Statistics to redo the estimate of long-term beds needed for the NWT over the next 14 years. They concluded that the NWT does not require as many new long-term beds as they initially thought in 2015.

Mr. Speaker, as a result of this new estimate, the department also created a new prediction model to determine a new number of long-term care beds required in each NWT region. This new projection model has determined that the demand for the long-term beds in Fort Smith is greater than previous estimates. Therefore, the department has concluded that more long-term beds will now be built for Fort Smith. Fort Smith currently has 26 long-term beds in our communities. However, this new projection by the government will create another 24 new long-term beds for Fort Smith. This is a much-needed boost of infrastructure that will greatly benefit Fort Smith and the South Slave for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I was very happy to hear this news from Minister Green. The people of Fort Smith are also very happy with this decision. In fact, I'd like to share an excerpt from a letter I received yesterday from the president of the Fort Smith Senior Citizens' Society, Ms. Mary Pat Short, who said, "The Fort Smith Senior Citizens' Society wishes to thank Minister Green for her decision to award a 24-bed extended-care facility to Fort Smith. In Fort Smith, we have a large and steadily growing population of seniors. As each year passes, more of our seniors need the specialized care that an extended-care facility makes possible. The facility will benefit our current and future elders, and on their behalf, the Fort Smith Seniors Society expresses our deepest gratitude." Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

Page 2570

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lastly, the NWT Seniors' Society President, Mr. Don Webb, who is a Fort Smith resident, has told me verbally that he is also very grateful for the new long-term beds coming to Fort Smith. In addition, the entire community of Fort Smith wants to thank Minister Green and the Cabinet for their decision. As the MLA for Thebacha, I, too, wish to thank Minister Green and the Cabinet for implementing the renewal strategy and this decision. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

Page 2570

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

Page 2571

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In December of 2015, a final report titled "Northwest Territories Long-Term Care Program Review" was submitted to the Department of Health and Social Services. The report, some 288 pages, based on statistics and relevant data available at the time, identified requirements for long-term care facilities through the Northwest Territories. On March 11th of this year, the Minister of Health tabled a 17-page document that confirmed a substantial reduction in projected long-term care bed needs identified in the 2015 report, not only for Hay River, but for the NWT as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, in 2015, 48 beds were identified for Hay River, which included Enterprise and K'atlodeeche First Nation. Both reports appear to have overlooked the communities of Fort Resolution, Fort Providence, and Kakisa, which, combined, represent an additional population of 1,400 people and are in the Hay River catchment area.

Mr. Speaker, upon review of the reports, I have concluded that, through the use of statistical information only, projections can be skewed to meet the department's objectives of the day. Compared to the most current analysis, the 2015 analysis was comprehensive and looked beyond statistics by considering the tangible and intangible uniqueness of the NWT. It looked at a demonstrated higher incidence of chronic diseases, lack of available and appropriate housing, and limited and necessary supporting community-based infrastructure, all of which contribute to higher rates of institutionalization in the NWT as compared to Canada as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, the department, in the most recent analysis of extended care beds, makes the point of having seniors age in place through more effective homecare services. To accomplish this, the Minister of Health stated that the department is committed to improving supports by looking to clients, families, communities, government, and non-government agencies to assist. This sends a message to me that the government is looking for a way to offload responsibilities to an already taxed NGO sector, underfunded communities, and families who may not be in a position to offer 24-hour care. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

March 29th, 2021

Page 2571

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Other than recommendations from the NWT Home and Community Care report dated September 26, 2019, I have not seen, in support of its intent to reduce the number of long-term beds for Hay River, a substantive action plan from the department that establishes how it will achieve effective homecare for Hay River or throughout the NWT. As it stands now, there are no additional dollars, infrastructure, or identified staff increases to support that objective.

Mr. Speaker, the argument for reducing the number of beds for Hay River is weak at best. I would recommend that the department stay on track and complete the 48-bed facility in Hay River. If other communities, such as Fort Smith, require additional beds, then let us look at making that happen in the near future, but not at the expense of Hay River and the surrounding communities that we serve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Long-term Care Bed Needs in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

Page 2571

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.