Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I hope I'm not crossing any lines or anything in my Member's statement and in my questioning regarding the sensitive nature of the subject that I bring up related to health centre concerns. If I do, I apologize to the House. When complaints are not taken seriously by the Department of Health and Social Services, I believe the residents of the Northwest Territories are in serious trouble, especially in small communities with no doctors nor specialists. My question to the Minister is: how serious is the department about the serious health crisis concerns of the residents of my community and to the people of the Northwest Territories? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Health and Social Services authorities have a complaints process in place where clients are encouraged to talk with their local healthcare or social service provider as a first step. If they're not satisfied, there is also a follow-up step with the regional quality representative. For serious private practice concerns, confidential investigations are carried out by the NTSSA, with the support of the Department of Finance and the Department of Human Resources. In all investigations, principles of due process are followed to hear from everybody who is involved in the complaint, including the staff. The employer can then determine what action is required to address the concerns. Complaints of misconduct can also be submitted to the complaints officer of the regulatory bodies for nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, social workers, and midwives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi to the Minister for that answer. That's pretty much the standard process, and I believe we've gone beyond that. We've already filed a formal complaint, and there have been other formal complaints filed that have gone unheeded. Northwest Territories residents, especially the Indigenous residents of my community, should not be treated like the treatment they receive at the local health centre. They should also not be treated with racist overtones just for being Indigenous. Comments such as, "Just because you are Treaty," and, "You Indians are a bunch of drunks," should never have to be heard. My question to the Minister: when are you ever going to take the concerns of the residents seriously in regard to the complaints against the health centre nursing staff?
I followed up with my department to confirm my understanding of the process. Unfortunately, because there was a complaint filed with the Nurses' Association, it is not appropriate for the Minister to meet and respond to the specifics of the complaint because I was told that we can't be seen as interfering in any judicial or quasi-judicial process that is currently under way.
Mahsi for that answer. I think we had this discussion already, that there is a total disconnect by the department and the registered nurses' group, but the GNWT does the hiring of all nurses and doctors, and whatnot, and they are passed over to RNANT/NU, their governing body. Once we've done that, there is a line severed right there. They've got no control over any aspect of how they operate, those nurse practitioners and whatnot, and that's a big concern in our small communities. I don't know why the department does not have a mechanism in place to help the residents address these issues. My question to the Minister is: will she look into mechanisms to be put in place to help the residents of the Northwest Territories?
Quality of care. We are working with the way we change and provide services in order to ensure that the practices are respectful to the values of residents. Through primary healthcare reform, we are focusing on improving cultural and safety and relationship-based caring. The Member is asking if we will commit to that relationship? Absolutely.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.
