Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just have a couple questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I just got a memo here that, you know, there will be reduced nursing services in Aklavik between June 30th and July 9th. I’d just like to ask the Minister, what’s the reasoning behind this? Is it due to holidays? Or just what’s the reasoning for this? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member’s nailed it exactly on the head. It’s as a result of holidays and some staff changes and turnover. We will do our best to have some locums come in to fill over these transition periods, some locums will be coming in this summer. Unfortunately, the timing hasn’t lined up, so we do have to go to reduced services for a short period of time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, when the Minister says reduced services, what does that entail? Is it a full closure or just limited services?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t recall the exact situation in Aklavik when you go to reduced services, it might mean that we have to reduce and only provide emergency services, so accidents, injuries that need immediate response, and not deliver any of our clinics, like Well Man or Well Woman, but I will confirm. I’m pretty sure we’re going to reduce services, which means we’re providing emergency services, but no clinical services for that short period of time. I will get that detail and confirm with the Member.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to ask the Minister, this wouldn’t affect any medical travel or anything that’s already booked that may happen during this time?
No, Mr. Speaker. Any services that the clients or the residents in Aklavik have, that they require to leave the community to go to either Inuvik, Yellowknife, or Edmonton, those things are still scheduled, still appropriate and medical travel will still occur.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
