Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to talk about the healthcare system in Nunakput. The Nunakput region is served by the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority based in Inuvik. Pharmaceutical products are flown into the community health centres from the hospital pharmacy in Inuvik. Medical travel allows people in the Beaufort-Delta to access the same quality and standard of care enjoyed by most Canadians. The services in the communities: each community has a health centre, two nurses, except for Tuktoyaktuk which has a staff of five nurses who typically work a six-week rotational shift consistent with hiring practices in remote communities across Canada. This practice helps the Northwest Territories recruit and retain staff, but it does not necessarily build consistency and some people's perception of continuity to care.
Some people feel nurses are very dedicated to their community and know their people, but others feel like there is a lot of turnover. This perception often varies between communities. An Inuvik-based doctor visits each community every four weeks for one to three days. Extending doctors' visits will help improve the lives of elders and youth. Each community has a designated physician in Inuvik who the nurses can call to discuss clients' issues, continuing care plans, and emergent needs.
Medication: medication is prescribed and dispensed in communities according based on the products nurses are allowed to administer. Many types of antibiotics vary, and a variety of other medications may only be prescribed by a doctor or a nurse practitioner during the visits. Requests for medications are faxed to Inuvik from outlying communities. It is among the responsibilities of the nurse in charge to monitor, including medication and operations of the health care centre.
Medical travel: As much as possible, practitioners try to arrange medical travel to achieve the most efficiency. Medical travel escorts may also be assigned by a physician and requests must be justified. Elders who require assistance, Mr. Speaker, should be accommodated to ensure that they get the best care possible while travelling. Medevacs are most frequently sent to Inuvik.
Birthing and other obstetrical services take place in Inuvik. Since 2014-2015, a nurse practitioner with midwifery training has been providing educational, prenatal and post-natal care in the Beaufort-Delta region.
Member for Nunakput, your time for Members' statements has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my last point: Midwifery education is important as mothers-to-be are being brought to Inuvik during the most vulnerable time before giving birth, while this should be the very strongest part, as women need support from their families during their last month of pregnancy. This concludes my statement. Quyanainni.
