Glen Abernethy

We did bring that up to the Beaufort-Delta board and the public administrator and the staff at the Beaufort-Delta. They indicated that they actually felt they had an adequate supply of BiliBlankets and other tools they can use for individuals. But since that time, they’ve also put in this award-winning obstetrical program called MORE OB, which is changing the way they’re delivering some of the services in the Beaufort-Delta. It’s an amazing program. As a result of those changes, there didn’t seem to be a desire for them. They weren’t that interested in bringing in an additional BiliBlanket...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the bill is coming forward in the next week or two for first reading and second reading, at which point it will be committee’s bill for 120 days. At this point in time, based on the changes that are coming, we don’t believe that there will be additional costs. We believe it’s a matter of using our money more appropriately and using the existing resources to the best effect, and the changes in the bill will actually give us better direction and better results without adding additional dollars.

We’ve talked a lot about mental health and addictions services here in the Northwest Territories and we do provide a continuum of care. There are a number of programs and services that are available to all of our residents whether they’re homeless or they’re not homeless. We’re always looking for ways to expand and enhance our programs so that it’s more effective. It’s forums like this where we’re hearing from the Members and we’re getting good ideas, so we appreciate that. But those programs and services are available to all residents whether they have a house or not.

Just for clarity, I can...

The Day Shelter has only been open for a couple months at this point and there are number of things happening there, including some significant renovations in the building. We have talked to the provider who has indicated that they’re hoping to provide some additional programs and services as well as links to the programs and services that exist. There is space in that building for health practitioners to go to the building and meet with people, as well as Housing staff to go and meet with people, as well as individuals from Justice or income support to go and meet with the people who are...

We have a pretty solid relationship with the NWT Disabilities Council. We do provide them with a significant amount of money. Not all organizations get forced growth, like non-government organizations get forced growth, and I don’t believe at this point in time the NWT Council is one of the ones that’s getting forced growth. It isn’t. We have been talking to the council about updating the action plan. It’s pretty old and it really needs to be updated, and they certainly have an interest in doing that. They have been a little busy with a number of the different projects that they have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are no quick fixes for the NWT Mental Health Act. It is a significant act with many parts and components. We have actually considered whether short-term amendments would be appropriate. Even those amendments would take a bit of time. The type of amendment the Member is talking about is not a small amendment. It would be a significant amendment and a significant part of the new act. It’s not a year away. We’re anticipating having the legislation done in the spring. Unfortunately, we don’t believe it will be ready for the May/June session, at which point I do intend...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Department of Health and Social Services does recognize the importance of language and culture in all aspects of daily lives throughout the Northwest Territories. In many of the small communities, it is indeed a struggle to recruit and retain health care providers in any language. We do strive to offer services in all official languages here in the Northwest Territories.

However, because of capacity issues, this is obviously sometimes quite difficult. We have a multi-lingual website which offers a range of information in all official languages here in the Northwest...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’m really happy the Member has actually brought that up. Our chief clinical advisor has actually started doing that work already and it will help us do exactly what the Member is saying. If we find that we have repeat business going down for one particular procedure, it may prove to be far more efficient for us to do that procedure here in the Northwest Territories. There have been some procedures that we have been able to bring some locums in to do in the Northwest Territories to help us reduce costs just based on that type of information.

I hear a lot of people talk...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Currently, the communities that don’t actually have permanent nurses, the amount of time that nurses are visiting does vary from community to community based on the level of need and acuity and different things going on in the community, so there is no one number that is actually utilized. Every authority has a slightly different approach.

As I have said to the Member who asked the questions previously, we’re looking at other opportunities. Maybe not a nurse, maybe not an LPN, maybe a high level first responder might be appropriate to be in there on a more permanent basis...

There is no plan in the budget that is before the committee today to increase the number of community counsellors in the communities. There are wait times. I will acknowledge that there are wait times throughout the Northwest Territories, but I think it’s important to note that these are mostly wait times for non-urgent clients. Clients with urgent needs are seen within 24 hours. Urgent issues, issues of extreme risk or importance can be dealt with immediately, within 24 hours.