Debates of October 27, 2004 (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today because I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Yesterday I talked about my concerns about the shortage of doctors in emergency rooms and in clinics. Mr. Speaker, a national physician survey conducted by the College of Family Physicians in Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons basically said there was an alarming state in regards to doctor supply. In brief, there were two serious observations: 21,000 doctors were surveyed, and 60 percent of them are scaling back their services. It said 3,800 are expected to retire within two years. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister of Health and Social Services is what is the NWT doing now to make the Northwest Territories a place of first choice for the doctors to come and work? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have just in the last number of months, in our first year, signed a four-year agreement with the Medical Association of the Northwest Territories, that gives the doctors a very competitive pay and benefits package. We have many perks in there that make it very competitive. The pay is good. There are lots of good benefits. As well, we are also funding and helping to assist some northern students who are currently in medical school, who will hopefully be graduating in a number of years. I think there are four currently in school that are going to be doctors eventually. Plus, we are continuing to recruit. We have been quite successful. Overall, the number of vacancies for doctors is quite low. So we have had some success in terms of the negotiating agreements, the vacancy rates and the fact that we are supporting northern students and encouraging more and more of them to go into med school, if they so choose. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this survey noted that 26 percent of the doctors are scaling back their service in the next few years. Mr. Speaker, only four percent are looking at increasing the service. Historically doctors have been known to work 70 and 80 hours per week, whereas now they are working barely 50. Mr. Speaker, what is the department doing? I would like to hear a concrete plan of what they are doing as an action plan to bring new doctors to the Northwest Territories, recognizing that 60 percent are scaling back and 3,800 are potentially retiring within two years across Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday in this House, there was about $8.4 million put into hiring doctors and nurses and midwifes late in the 14th Assembly. I also submit that the agreement that we’ve reached with the Medical Association factors in the quality of life issues, referenced by my colleague, and that is an issue of concern for the doctors. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when does that agreement that the honourable Minister speaks about expire, and does that apply just to surgeons or does that apply to all general practitioners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that applies to both general practitioners and specialists. It’s a four-year agreement that will expire, I believe, in 2007 or 2008. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Mr. Speaker, speaking from a territorial perspective now, what are we doing about the small communities that suffered these services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 323-15(3): Recruitment Of Health Care Professionals

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, out of the $8.4 million, we put in funding for additional doctors in the Deh Cho, into the Sahtu and for the Inuvik region, as well. So we’ve added doctors, we are looking at adding nurse practitioners, we are trying to come up with a special program to better mentor community health nurses so that we can get many of the recent graduates qualified as soon as possible and agree to work in the communities. So we are very aware and very concerned about the service in the regions and in the communities, and these are some of the things we are doing. Thank you.