Debates of November 27, 2007 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know I’ve been here for a while, but I didn’t think I was an MLA for Yellowknife now.

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Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement before I spoke to the fact that I believe that we failed this individual by not providing them with the quality of life that they so rightfully deserved. I think we have an opportunity now to maybe right some wrongs. I’d like to direct my line of questioning to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like to ask the Minister, whose decision is it as to who is eligible for motorized wheelchairs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Return To Question 21-16(1): Provision Of Wheelchairs For Quadriplegics

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all I’d just like to thank the Member, who is also the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, for asking me the very first question as Minister of this government.

Mr. Speaker, in terms of the decisions about who gets access to health equipment, it’s provided by the health authorities that govern the health programs in our regions, along with the advice from the medical advisor.

Specific to the constituent that the Member mentioned earlier, I just want to express and send our condolences to the families. It was really hard to hear from the Member this morning that this constituent had passed away on the weekend.

So I think that’s the answer, in terms of how one could get the equipment. This lady did receive approval for equipment in 2003 and 2004. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 21-16(1): Provision Of Wheelchairs For Quadriplegics

I’d like to ask the Minister, what’s the criteria that individuals have to meet to receive a wheelchair? Would it be a recommendation from a rehabilitation centre in Edmonton that they may have just come from? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 21-16(1): Provision Of Wheelchairs For Quadriplegics

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information that I have is that Mr. McLeod’s constituent was approved for a wheelchair -- first a manual one and later on an electric one -- and it was with the support of the medical advisor, the doctor, as well as the health authority. There was a lot of support for this constituent to have that wheelchair equipment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 21-16(1): Provision Of Wheelchairs For Quadriplegics

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think if we dig a little further, we’re going to find that this motorized wheelchair was removed from this individual. But I would like to ask the Minister if Glenrose Rehabilitation Centre in Edmonton is an expert and they deal with a lot of NWT residents that do sometimes get confined to wheelchairs. I would like to ask the Minister if she would request Glenrose do a review of the wheelchair accessibility in Inuvik and recommendations that they might come up with to take care of some of these problems. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 21-16(1): Provision Of Wheelchairs For Quadriplegics

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can advise the House that, in fact, the Member has asked for this request to have involvement of Glenrose and I’d be happy to make that commitment to do that. Specific to the Member’s constituent, however, Mr. Speaker, I could advise you that I think the reason why the electric wheelchair might have been taken away, or not taken away but it was out of service, is because of the incident that there was in a long-term health care facility where the electric wheelchair was seen to be dangerous to the facility and it was a policy that was made. But I am willing to look at that again. But that was the reason why it was recommended that a manual wheelchair be used, and there were some other health issues involved that might have contributed to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.