Today, during the “Celebrate Healthy Living” event, the Departments of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs launched the simple and interactive Carrot Rewards mobile app – one of the first mobile apps officially endorsed by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). 

Mr. Speaker, June is Senior Citizens’ Month. As the Minister Responsible for Seniors, I want to encourage all Northerners to join me in recognizing and celebrating the valuable contributions that Seniors and Elders make within our families and communities.

 With a focus on aging in place, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made it a priority to help Seniors and Elders live in their own homes for as long as possible by ensuring that the right kinds of supports are available to them.

The Department of Health and Social Services released the 2018 NWT Community Counselling Program (CCP) Client Satisfaction Questionnaire Report.

The CCP Client Satisfaction Report for 2018 has shown that a majority of clients who responded were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience in accessing services, and that a majority of those who responded were satisfied with the changes in their lives since beginning counselling services.

Mr. Speaker, today marks a major milestone for Health Care delivery in the Northwest Territories. On May 26, 2019 we began accepting patients at the new Stanton Territorial Hospital, and implemented a detailed patient move plan to bring patients from the old Stanton hospital to our brand new facility.

Mr. Speaker, to advance our government’s commitment towards community wellness and safety, we are taking steps to improve care for our people by working with the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, to explore the creation of one self-regulatory framework for all nursing professionals in the NWT.

Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services, is announcing the government will invest $1 million this year to support local organizations in their efforts to reduce poverty.  Funding for forty seven proposals is being awarded to community and Indigenous organizations through the 2019/20 Anti-Poverty Fund.

Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy has released the new 2019 Health and Social Services Northwest Territories Help Directory. The Help Directory is available in print and online in both English and French.

The Help Directory is designed to assist NWT residents by providing up-to-date contact information on health services available to them. The 2019 edition includes new information such as the:

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Glen Abernethy, and the President of the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (RNANT/NU). Rommel Silverio, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the creation of one self-regulatory framework for all nursing professionals in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Currently the Registrar for Professional Licensing with the Department of Health and Social Services regulates licensed practical nurses, while RNANT/NU regulates registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

The Department of Health and Social Services announces changes to the Medical Travel Program effective June 1, 2019. NWT residents have access to one of the most generous medical travel programs in Canada, which has remained relatively unchanged since 1995. To bring the cost-share of medical travel costs into alignment with current travel costs of the Medical Travel Program, adjustment to the co-payment rate is being made.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about foster care and the important role that the Foster Family Coalition of the Northwest Territories has played, and will continue to play, in partnering with Child and Family Services to improve recruitment, training and support for foster families.

Foster families perform a vital service to children that must be placed in care. I want to recognize and thank all foster families from across this territory for the valuable support they provide to our children and youth.