Sandy Lee

Yes, it’s true that there’s no new money in this budget but our response is that we will put it through the next business plan cycle, which is the way financial business is done.

As I stated earlier, we’ve had three definite infections and two possible other infections. Infection control in hospital settings is an increasing concern nationally. It is a discussion that all of the health care professionals are engaged in. This could break out at any time and the important thing is that we have the confidence in the staff that we have, that they are equipped and qualified and knowledgeable to address that. The public health officer has reviewed the process and we are meeting all national guidelines. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I believe the Member brought up that issue with respect to Beaufort-Delta and we had explained and we followed up on the Member’s request. We follow all of the purchasing rules. We have to follow the contract guidelines. We have to follow the northern preference purchasing policies. We follow all of that. Mr. Chairman, I don’t think that issue is alive. That was brought up way back when and I believe it was resolved. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the four people that are located in Inuvik help our residents to weave through the NIHB program and some of our staff help with that too. Those four minimum that we could get, I think the Member referred to pan-territorial social marketing project later in the page or did I read that wrong? They are the four. They just strictly respond to our residents’ questions and the application process for the programs under NIHB. I’m sorry; I probably didn’t answer the question correctly. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, it is true. However, it is also my information that many of the employees have gone through that program and they don’t need to... There are less people who are in need of that program because once you take it, you are done. Thank you.

It’s a $500,000 increase; $250,000 going to Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority and $246,000 to Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority.

Infection control and the review of incidents of infections is a part of the regular business in running a hospital. Our hospital keeps up with all of the national standards and they are engaged in constant review. Mr. Speaker, the management are in touch with what is happening at the hospital and they take action as it becomes necessary. I can also advise the Member, following on his Member’s statement, there are restricted numbers of surgeries being conducted at the hospital because they are waiting for parts for their surgical sterilization equipment. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, that item is for the department. It is for evergreening. Thank you.

No, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I think that is something that we are and we need to work on over the next month or two as we work toward the next business plan. As the stats have shown in the House, we have over the next three years 60 to 70 grads of nursing school coming out of Aurora College. We have other human resource needs. We have two long-term career centres being built, for example, and both, especially Sahtu, has shown their interest in training their local staff to work at the long-term care facilities. It is something we need to look at. We want to expand home care services and we need to look at...