Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Hawkins on March 4, 2010, regarding physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT).
PT and OT services are provided to community clients through inpatient, travel and outpatient services. The Stanton Territorial Health Authority (STHA) is responsible for providing services through travelling clinics to the Tlicho, Deh Cho and Yellowknife health and social services authorities. The Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority (BDHSSA) is likewise responsible for the Beaufort-Delta and Sahtu communities. The Hay River and Fort Smith health and social services authorities each offer PT/OT services through their respective hospitals. Service to communities is also provided through PT/OT outpatient clinics within Stanton Territorial Hospital (STH).
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table the following:
a list of visits to communities by the authorities in the 2008-2009 fiscal year;
a list of attendances to the outpatient clinic at STH by community for the same time frame; and
a list detailing the number of people on a waitlist for PT/OT services as of January 1, 2010.
Rehabilitation services are not an insured service under the Canada Health Act. PT/OT services are listed by a variety of factors that include: staffing shortages; difficulties coordinating schedules with community health centres; the frequency of missed appointments; weather delays and cancellations for staff travel; budget restrictions; and the amount of time taken for preparation and follow-up for clients. Where applicable, third-party insurers, such as the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission or the federal government’s Non-Insured Health Benefits, also dictate the frequency and type of services and/or equipment available.
STHA has an agreement in place with Nunavut. Between April 1, 2007, and August 2009, STHA billed Nunavut $146,000 for PT/OT services, of which there is still $34,881 outstanding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
