Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask questions today to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Michael Miltenberger. I would like to know what the current disposition of the sleep centre at Stanton Territorial Hospital is and I am wondering if the Minister can tell me how much it costs to operate that centre and how many patients it treats per year. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Three questions.

---Laughter

Well thank you, Mr. Ramsay, for helping me with that observation. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this program is under a lot of growth pressures. I can't tell the Member specifically what it costs. I can tell him that there is work being done to make sure that we can cope with the demand, that we can modernize equipment and make sure that the staff we have are trained. We are working with a doctor from Calgary to come up with a good plan; this Dr. Remmers has had experience in other jurisdictions, so we are looking at this area very closely. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That didn't really get to the exact disposition. Is the sleep centre actually going to close or is there a study? It sounds like there is a study at play here that will see something happen. I am just wondering if the Minister can tell me how the current and future clients of the sleep centre will be looked after. What portion of care will be at the individual's expense? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. That really was two questions, but we can stretch this out. Mr. Miltenberger.

---Laughter

Further Return To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is a program and a service that is required, and we are going to take the steps necessary to ensure that we can provide the service required with as much of the service as possible delivered in the North in terms of full-scale testing, all that can be done as well as the follow-up that is needed. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I guess we have an hour here. We are asking questions here for an hour, so I will ask more questions and then come back again. I am just wondering, because I did not hear the Minister say yes or no, is the sleep centre open or is it closed. What is happening with it? I need a definite answer and by the sounds of it they really don't know what is happening there. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, they know what is happening. Unfortunately I don't have the current briefing note in my book, so I am unable to provide the level of detail that the Member would like. I have the staff looking for the most current information that I received from Stanton and will be happy to share that with the Member when I get it. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am wondering if the Minister can also tell me if he is at least considering making these CPAP machines part of the NWT insured services for clients that require them. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 38-15(4): Status Of The Stanton Sleep Centre And Its Clients

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there is a working group currently reviewing this issue and will be looking at all the recommendations. I am sure that they will be giving us suggestions on the best way for this program to be covered. Thank you.