Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is supposed to provide high-quality health care to the NWT residents no matter where they live. Yet, in the smallest communities, places like Tsiigehtchic, people don’t have year-round access to a nurse.
I’ve raised this concern many times. It’s a stressful situation. Residents are scared that something terrible may happen and they won’t have backup when they need it most. The idea for a full-time nurse made it into the Health and Social Services 2010-11 Business Plan, but the Minister of the day reneged on that commitment.
On February 7, 2013, another promise was made. Then Health Minister Tom Beaulieu stated that the department was working with the community leaders in the Beaufort-Delta Health Authority to try to provide nursing services and physician services in Tsiigehtchic. When I asked Minister Beaulieu if he would commit to an interim measure, a pilot project to hire a licenced practical nurse, he said an unequivocal yes. That was two years ago but nothing materialized.
My last exchange on this topic took place October 27, 2014. Minister Abernethy assured me that the government is, “always looking for ways to enhance the services that we provide in our communities.” He stated that the department is doing research to bring forward new tools for enhancing care in our communities. Minister Abernethy also acknowledged that a community without a full-time nurse is vulnerable in the event of a medical emergency.
All this, and yet the Minister hasn’t brought about any substantial changes. For too long Tsiigehtchic residents have had unreliable access to health care.
I will be asking questions to the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
