Debates of February 10, 2006 (day 27)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I talked about in my Member's statement, I've got a couple questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Just in respect to the last session when the Minister committed to completing a community health review by January of 2006, which is passed already. I'm just wondering, I want to ask the Minister, has this review been done yet? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 377-15(4): Review Of Local Health Organizations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this work has been done and they're in the final report writing stages. I've been informed, since I queried them on the status, that we should have the report by the end of this month, and we'll be able to see what the recommendations are and share those with the community and with the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 377-15(4): Review Of Local Health Organizations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to seeing the recommendations of that report. They probably deal with a lot of board representation and community health services, medical travel and stuff for the smaller communities. I just want to make a point to the Minister that I know the authority my communities deal with, the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority has a very big plate and a lot of the small community issues get lost amongst this big banquet of issues that they have to address on a daily and a monthly basis. I just want to ask the Minister if this report, when it does get tabled in this House, does it include any extra funding requirements for smaller communities, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 377-15(4): Review Of Local Health Organizations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have yet to see the report, so I have no idea what the specific recommendations are. But I can tell the Member that as we plan in our budget that's before this House, for example, to deal with all the program issues as they affect communities, we build in forced growth. If we have a new initiative, we try to account for all the needs and requirements of communities. But I have yet to see the consultant's report or the specific recommendations. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 377-15(4): Review Of Local Health Organizations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just ask the Minister a question about the report itself. I didn't see the terms of reference for the report, but I want to ask the Minister, does the report, is it a territorial-wide community report, or is this more specific to my constituency which raises the issue of getting the report in the first place? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 377-15(4): Review Of Local Health Organizations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this report was done at the request of the community, but, as well, three years ago or four years ago now when there was a change in the governance arrangement and Fort Resolution started sitting at the Yellowknife health and social service table, one of the agreements was after three years, or two years, to take a look at how things have gone in relation to the MOU. So the memorandum of understanding between the community and the department was the basis of the review. It's very specific, focussed on the issues to the people of Fort Resolution, and the work's been done within the community to look at those services and the services provided as support out of Yellowknife. So it would be very specific to the community. Thank you.