Debates of June 2, 2004 (day 18)

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me one final question probably before the House adjourns for the summer. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services, with regard to addressing our special needs and those with developmental disabilities that are currently taken care of down south. Can the Minister provide me with some assurances about what steps we as a government can take in the long-term to address developing our own capacities for taking care of our own? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 204-15(3): Repatriation Of Clients With Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ve indicated what the plan is going to be in terms of looking at the issue of repatriation as it applies across the board. As well, we have a number of other reviews underway; for example, the issue of trying to deal with the cognitively impaired, which is an area that is well requiring very special attention. So in the short term we are going to review what is possible as a result of the transition or move out of APYS. In the longer term we are going to do a client-by-client review, but also look at the level of service that is required and see what can be in fact done in the North, and what we are still going to require to contract out of territory. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The time for question period has expired, however, I will allow a supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 204-15(3): Repatriation Of Clients With Disabilities

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. This will probably be my final question. It is just that I am glad the Minister is aware of our need to take care of our own. What direction is the Minister leaning towards of developing our own people? I am sure we have the facilities, but what can be done to develop our people in terms of how we can take care of our own, in terms of the special training, the special services that surround the provision of care by our people with development disabilities down south? Can we truly have those facilities and the people here to take care of our own in the future, Mr. Speaker?

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 204-15(3): Repatriation Of Clients With Disabilities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have over the last few years put nursing programs in place, we have social work programs, we are now doing registered care aid programs, we are going to put back into effect the community health representative programs, we are supporting students in post-secondary situations in medical school. So we have initiatives on a whole number of fronts in terms of trying to develop a northern workforce in these very specialized areas. So we still struggle with some of the psychiatric specialties, and those types of very advanced services, but we are committed if you look across the North to the personal care units we’ve built, the tertiary level facilities, second layer level facilities we’ve built to deal with elders and those with other needs. So we are going to continue that commitment. We are going to review the current southern placement list, and we are going to see what is possible in terms of short-term repatriation, as well as look at the longer term, as I have indicated. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members, at this time I would like to draw your attention to a former Member of this House in the gallery, Roy Erasmus, a Member of the 13th Legislative Assembly for Weledeh.

---Applause

I’d also like to draw your attention to Susan Legler, acting executive secretary to our Commissioner, the Honourable Glenna Hansen. Welcome to the gallery Ms. Legler.

---Applause

Also a frequent visitor Major Karen Hoeft, and everyone else in the gallery. Welcome.

---Applause

At this time we have quite a number of people waiting in the gallery for the Premier’s Awards of Excellence. So I think we will call a short break at this time, a 15-minute break to deal with the awards.

---SHORT RECESS