Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided).

In my Member’s statement today, I want to speak about the need to reprofile the seniors’ facility in Fort Resolution to meet long-term care needs of our elders. As it stands now, Mr. Speaker, as soon as an elder gets too sick or infirm to stay in Fort Resolution, they are sent to extended care in Yellowknife, Fort Smith or Hay River. This is far away from their home, their family and community, as well as the traditional foods they need for their diet. In short, Mr. Speaker, we are penalizing elders who live in small communities who do not have a hospital, by forcing them to spend their final days in another community. I am sure that between the services of homecare and some additional nurses, as well as some renovations to the seniors’ facility, that an extended care service could be offered in Fort Resolution for a vast majority of the elders who are sent to one of the larger communities for their final days.

I think that a case could be made that the cost of offering extended care in Fort Resolution would be comparable to the costs involved in transporting patients and providing bed space in the other communities of Yellowknife, Fort Smith or Hay River.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services on the provision of long-term extended care for Fort Resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause