Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have legislation and policies and regulations that now apply across the Northwest Territories. We have midwifery services in Fort Smith and Thebacha. As well, we have a midwifery position in Yellowknife and in the business plan for 2007-08. We’re going be making the case to expand those midwifery services outside, or further, to other regions. I know the Member has indicated his riding of Fort Simpson is interested, and they are on our list to move into in the coming business plans. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the practice is for the health professionals to be engaged as quickly as possible and to make their assessment on a case-by-case basis, then make their diagnosis and recommend a plan of action. I am not in a position to speak specifically to the issue or the case referenced by my colleague, but I could commit, if he wants to discuss it further, to more specifically to check on the particulars of that case. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For this particular program, we are looking at and intend to access or make use of the territorial health access fund that was agreed to by the former federal government back in September 2004.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of respite care is an issue of concern for all communities. We have had a pilot here. It has been evaluated. It can be very successful. We put the funds forward to carry down towards the end of the fiscal year and we are coming forward to continue the program and to look at expanding it outside of Yellowknife. That will be in the detail of the budget coming before this House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the key is to identify the resources to in fact be able to hire the required midwives, nurses, hopefully nurse midwives, but midwives that can work in the community. As well, as the Member has indicated, we have to consult with the region and communities and ensure that there’s an interest, look at the statistics and what kind of infrastructure there is going to be necessary to in fact have that service. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no specific time frame that I am aware of. The cases of the individuals/patients are assessed and determinations are made by the professionals dealing with that particular circumstance. So once again, I would have to find out more as to what transpired so that I could provide that information to the Member, so he could get a better understanding of all the circumstances that were at play and how it all came about and the sequence of events. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have indicated in this House on previous occasions, this program is an important one and the intention is to move it outside of Yellowknife and provide the service as comprehensively as we can across the Northwest Territories. So, yes, we are eagerly waiting, as the Premier indicated, on the opportunity to find out who the new Ministers will be and we will be gathering and contacting them as soon as we can with a list. That particular item will be on that list. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member identifies some of the challenges that face us in the administration and delivery of this program, and we are working in Yellowknife to identify who will administer this and to identify the pool of available individuals who are willing and able to provide the respite service. So those are legitimate concerns and we are addressing those. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Member is talking about the budget and business plan or budgets we’re currently reviewing, it’s not in this particular business plan or budget. We’d be looking at the subsequent year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have some arrangements with some organizations and businesses in the Northwest Territories. I will make sure that we have a comprehensive reply for the Member by the end of session.