Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I brought up the health care advocate for the Beaufort Delta in the Inuvik Regional Hospital. Mr. Speaker, I'm asking the Minister of Health, was it put into place, the health care advocate at the Inuvik Regional Hospital? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the regular Members negotiated, in addition to this year's operating budget, of four Indigenous patient advocates that would be located in Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. Their specific mandate is to work to improve cultural safety and patient experience by supporting Indigenous patients in particular and resolving their concerns, complaints, and questions, and bridging cultural and language barriers. The job descriptions for these Indigenous patient advocates are now in development, and we expect to have them in place next year. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really thank the Minister for that response. It's a good news story and I think that so is the Minister saying January next year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think I might feel the flames at my feet, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information I have is that it will be early next year. So let's say by the time we come back. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, no question, I'm just really happy that we're getting a patients' advocate so people have a place to phone and get assistance and get quicker response times. And I thank the Minister for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
