Debates of May 27, 2004 (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In reference to my statement earlier today, I would like to ask the Minister if he knows or if he is aware, as the Minister of Justice, of the fact that guards at the Yellowknife Correctional Centre currently administer medications, narcotics and other medicine to inmates. This happens daily, even though none of the guards have formal training on handling these medications, and I am wondering if this causes the Minister any concern, and what this practice does to the GNWT’s liability. Thank you.

Minister of Justice, two questions.

Return To Question 146-15(3): Delivery Of Health Services In Yellowknife Correctional Centre

Mr. Speaker, in response to the first question, yes, I am aware that corrections officers do hand out medications to inmates, and to the supplementary, they are only handed out under the direction of medical staff, and only when officers have completed a training course.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 146-15(3): Delivery Of Health Services In Yellowknife Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What are the impacts of the ongoing issues at the Yellowknife Correctional Centre in the health services unit? What kind of impact is it having on Stanton Territorial Hospital? I know inmates have to go to Stanton for procedures that could and should be done at the facility, and I have also been made aware that casual nurses are actually being taken from the hospital and sent over to the facility. Thank you.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 146-15(3): Delivery Of Health Services In Yellowknife Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the intention is to be able to deliver the services at the facility, and we do currently have two nurses on staff to be able to provide services. I am advised by the Department of Health and Social Services that there has been no appreciable increase or noticeable increase in the patients from YCC to date. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 146-15(3): Delivery Of Health Services In Yellowknife Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I understand it, the audit was conduced solely by Ms. Shannon Weatherhead-McCoy, the chief of health services from Drumheller Institution in Alberta. Why wasn’t the Department of Justice corrections investigator involved in this audit, as was set out in the conveyance order? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 146-15(3): Delivery Of Health Services In Yellowknife Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that individual was unavailable at the time that we wanted to have the audit work done. Rather than hold it up and wait until both were available, it was felt that the person from Corrections Canada was well qualified to conduct the audit or the review, and that is the reason that it went forward at the time it did. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.