Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, healthcare in the North appears to be falling apart. And I know people not receiving proper medical diagnosis or not receiving proper medical care at all. This is causing stress in the community, families, and patients' physical and mental health. Mr. Speaker, right now we need physicians in Hay River. We have none. In fact, we need 5.6 FTEs, Mr. Speaker. I ask the Minister if she will commit to providing Hay River with those positions immediately? After all, our health is no less important than those living in Yellowknife or other areas. Thank you.

That's all. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, timely access to healthcare and proper diagnosis is very important to residents of Hay River and the surrounding communities. I hear more often now that those who can afford it are bypassing medical travel and making their way south to seek those very services that are not being delivered here on a timely and consistent basis. For those that don't have financial resources to travel, they are forced to wait for services.

Mr. Speaker, we are seeing an increase in payments for outofterritory healthcare. What is the reason for it, and will the department...

Thank you, Madam Chair. And with that program, is do you see a need, I guess, for home care support as well to sort of back up that caregiver position? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, too often residents are receiving notices of physician shortages in Hay River. And without physicians in the community, proper health care cannot be dispensed. This may mean turning away those who are in need of emergency care, routine appointments, palliative care, detox services, and mental health services. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the community of Hay River is having issues with staffing of physicians for the Hay River Regional Health Centre. This issue has been ongoing for some time and continues to affect timely access to healthcare and...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple questions on the paid caregiver. I think most of them have been answered. But a constituent there in Hay River had asked me if there was any if there was any appetite, I guess, from this government to increase the remuneration amount or the number of hours that they could charge for? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to go and talk a bit about addictions recovery. In Hay River, you know, we know that we've had a number of people who have passed away due to overdoses, and then we've had some from the community who also passed away that they weren't in the community at the time. So we probably had at least ten. And it's you know, it's a big issue and it continues on because personally, like I've taken people to the health centre to, you know, to look for detox services. But, again, like the deputy minister said, there's no dedicated beds. You may not have a doctor or a...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess that was kind of my next question I guess was, you know, if we're not hiring doctors, are we saving money or is it an additional cost because we don't have doctors due to possibly, you know, sending people south or some other forms of healthcare services? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to confirm there, I guess on page 191, is that the health and social services authorities funding that 33,275, is that related to the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm glad to hear that the you know, they have a program. And I think it's important that, you know, when we're looking at building homes in the North, and especially in the smaller communities, that we incorporate that into the build because it's just a you know, it's a minor upgrade to when they're putting the panels in. So would the Minister be willing to, you know for her department to offset some of those costs as well? Thank you.