Debates of February 14, 2005 (day 35)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Friday I made a Member’s statement with regard to escorts and patients and the lack of communication between the departments. There have been quite a number of problems between the escorts and patients travelling back and forth to my home communities in my region there. The question I have for the Minister of Health and Social Services is who is responsible for communications for medical travel for the departments for the escort of medical patients outside of their home communities? How does the department ensure that the patients are safely returned home, other than having to wait for being on stand-by when they are supposed to get home? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are staff who deal with medical travel in Inuvik as well as at Stanton; as well, we have people on the ground in Edmonton at the Government Health Authority to assist, as well, with patients who go South. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the question that I have for the Minister, Mr. Speaker, is I’m really unsure that his department makes sure the patients, when they travel back and forth from their home communities, are taken care of with regard to their travels. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate the Member’s concern for his constituents. I want to assure him that the system is designed to try and provide as painless a process as possible for people to travel in time of need. If the Member would be willing to share with me outside of this House the specifics of the cases he mentioned in this House, I’d be happy to check on those with him and on his behalf so we can ensure that we can address some of the concerns that he raised. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d be willing to share that information with the Minister. Another thing I mentioned on Friday in my Member’s statement is with regard to a patient who was shortly discharged a day after his…

Surgery? Surgery?

Surgery, yes. Apparently he went home shortly afterwards; he was discharged the second day. Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Who determines the outcome of the patients travelling shortly after or a day after their surgery? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the discharge of patients is a medical decision that’s done by the doctors and the staff in the facility. The issue of the stand-by and the travel arrangements are dealt with by the staff I’ve already touched on. I’ll look at the issue of stand-by, but I look forward to the other more specific information from the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the question I have for the Minister is if you had seen this person who was in pain when he returned home, it was very clear when I met him in Inuvik that he was in pain. He just got out of surgery the day before, they sent him back home to Inuvik, and again he was one of those unfortunate people who had to be on stand-by again, Mr. Speaker. Will the department ensure that prior to the release of outpatients, that they are able to travel without any pain? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 379-15(3): Medical Travel Policies

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Member will provide me with the specifics, we’ll make every effort to ensure that this doesn’t happen again and that we can ensure pain-free travel for our constituents. Thank you.