Debates of October 25, 2006 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are going to be on the review of the situation at the Stanton Hospital. But seeing as that involves both Health and Social Services and Human Resources and we don’t have a permanent Health and Social Services Minister yet, I will direct my question to the Minister of Human Resources. I’m wondering, Mr. Speaker, given that whatever comes out of this review, I’d like to ask the Minister as the Human Resources Minister whether or not the government will be able to meet the deadline that was set by the former Minister of Health to finish that review, at least the preliminary results anyway, by the end of next week? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’ve been working with both departments looking at the previous work that was done and fine tuning the previous human resource survey that was done in that facility and updating it and be prepared to bring it to Members to have a look at that and then set up a procedure for moving forward. So I believe we can meet the commitment that was made by the previous Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I’m prepared to accept being compassionate and considerate that the government may not be able to meet this two-week deadline, but I would be happy to just have the government follow up on the commitment made by the previous Minister that there will be a review of what is happening, all the array of staff issues and morale issues at Stanton Hospital, and that it will involve a direct communication of the CEO and the deputy minister, if necessary, with the front-line workers division by division. That was a big commitment. That’s more important to me than meeting the strict deadline that was committed to. So would the Minister of Human Resources commit to meeting that requirement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to the involvement that Human Resources would be involved, we will be supportive in the initiative that commitment was made in this Assembly not too long ago. From the Department of Health and Social Services' side of the equation, we are looking at the process that was discussed and the plan was put there. A lot of initiatives are underway and we want to meet the commitment that was made here in this Assembly and we’ll work towards that end. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That answer was so general it’s really hard to tell whether he is saying that he’ll go with state of the status quo, the way it is now with the existing guidelines, or whether or not government is confirming its commitment made by the previous Health Minister that it will really take a look and be proactive to figure out what is going on at the hospital and what government has to do to fix it. So will the Minister commit that very specifically to the Stanton issue, not just human resource issues in government in general as he’s stating? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from the Human Resources' side we are working with the Department of Health and Social Services to meet the commitment that was made by the previous Minister. From the Department of Health and Social Services side, reviewing the work that’s been done, where things sit is only part of the equation again and meeting the commitment that was made by the previous Minister and our goal is to do just that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last follow-up. As I’ve stated and other Members have stated, I do believe that there is no question that the biggest area of concern with what’s happening at Stanton is the recruitment and retention issue and management and morale issue, for whatever reason. I’m not assigning blame, but I think that’s the thing. That needs an involvement and leadership on the part of the Minister of Human Resources. So could I get the Minister to make a personal commitment, as Minister of Human Resources, that he’ll see to it that a solution is found and then acted upon? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from the Human Resources' side I think we can show a positive track record in trying to deal with the issue of nurse recruitment, of nursing program in the Northwest Territories, as well as at Stanton. When it falls into the whole territorial aspect of how we deliver services from the Human Resources' side, we can show many examples of what we’re trying to do government-wide in trying to deal with this specific issue. On the side of dealing with the Stanton issue, we will work with the Department of Health and Social Services to ensure that the review is an adequate one. Thank you.