Debates of March 30, 2004 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning, I received a copy of a letter by the director of client services of Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Authority, from the office of the Honourable Minister, Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services, advising of the temporary closure of the Holman health centre. The closure of the health centre commenced on March 26, 2004, and is expected to last until April 15, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, during this time the health centre will be closed. There will be no clinics; however, a nurse will be available for emergencies only. No clients can call any hospital emergency room department. In my Member’s statement on January 20, 2004, I voiced the exact same concerns about health and staffing services in that riding. I understand the department is having a difficult time recruiting nurses in the Northwest Territories. The reduction in services is continuing to be a problem. The residents of Holman should no longer have to be the ones who suffer a reduction in health services simply because their community is hard to staff.

Mr. Speaker, when will the Department of Health and Social Services find a solution to ensure the staffing requirements are met in Holman or, Mr. Speaker, will the department wait until something happens to a person before they take action? I will be following up with the Department of Health and Social Services on health care staffing shortages in that riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause