Sandy Lee

The short answer to that is that if a non-medical escort is approved, then all of the incidental costs would be approved.

Generally a non-medical escort is approved where a patient needs a family member for physical support or for language support, where there might be some interpreter services. I understand that in this circumstance it doesn’t fall into either of the two, but that is a general situation where the non-medical escort would be approved.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT EHB Program is one of the best in the country. I understand that Mr. Ramsay’s constituent’s equipment, called a functional electrical stimulation system, was denied for benefit because it was not on the formulary guidelines. She was advised on three occasions that that was not on the list. She did not have a doctor’s referral from the NWT. She went to Alberta and purchased this equipment for $4,500, which is under a pilot program. The Alberta government has not even decided that they’re going to use this.

If I would have given the Member that straight answer, it would have...

Mr. Speaker, that option is not out of question; it’s just that it is up to the board authority to agree to put this position full time in that community.

Yes, I have, Mr. Speaker, and I have asked the CEO of the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority, who was also at the meeting with me, to follow up on that. My understanding is that this nurse is employed by the authority, and she floats around in different communities. She will, and I have already indicated that. I have directed the department, with the Beaufort-Delta, to look at extending nursing services in Tsiigehtchic.

I believe I’ve made this commitment at least ten times in the last two weeks. I’m not sure how else I could say that, Mr. Speaker. I am committed to seeing how...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, and I have been having that dialogue and discussion. I’ve had a meeting not only with Chief Nerysoo but also with a former president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Fred Carmichael. I’ve also met with health reps of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. I had a meeting with the staff at Gwich’in Wellness Centre when we were there. We do have an active proposal on my desk and in the department. We are working through to see how we could assist with the wellness centre in the next upcoming business plan.

As the Member is well aware, the health centres and health care programs are being delivered by Beaufort-Delta health authority. The department is working really closely with them to look at all the funding available and see how we could help, from the department level, to enhance the nursing services in Tsiigehtchic. We do have a shortage of nurses everywhere. I know the Member wanted me to see if the visiting nurse at Tsiigehtchic could spend more time there. I am looking at that option, and I will get back to the Member as soon as I can.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Specifically to McPherson and Tsiigehtchic, I have committed to the Member to make sure that the mental health and addictions funding for the community is reinstated. I know the community has been in need of that. I made that commitment, and I’ve advised the Member that I directed the department to work with the Beaufort-Delta health authority to see what options we have to extend the nursing coverage in Tsiigehtchic. I was in the community, and that was of concern to the community.

Now, on the larger picture, the Member knows there are lots of things at play in the way...

I know some of the renovation has been done in the centre. As the Member knows, we’re engaged in a different capital planning process now. All of the proposals will be submitted to the capital infrastructure committee to look at putting them into the plan. There are a lot of projects that were slated for years 3 or 4. Unless they had a very specific plan, I believe they are being redirected. I would like to commit to the Member again that I will look at that proposal from Deh Cho and see how we could put it into the process.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important to note that the NWT has one of the best coverages for extended health benefits. We have a long list of things, pharmaceuticals and equipment, that the government does provide. Once in a while there comes a product on the market that has to be tested and examined before it gets on the list. Certain governments try it on an experimental basis. I understand that Alberta is trying that.

We do protect our constituents and provide them with services. All we ask, then, is to work with us to see what we can do to help her. We are working to help her. There are...

Mr. Speaker, I understand there is a long list of available, approved and cost effective walk aids on the formulary. We also have doctors available in the NWT who would have been happy to see her. We forwarded her to the neurologist. I don’t have the background on why she had to go to Alberta. I would like to look at that.

I think the important point here, Mr. Speaker, is that we are wanting to help her. We are wanting to see how much of the cost we could cover for her, even though she did not see a doctor here — I know no reason why — even though she purchased something that was not on the...