The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is releasing the first public deliverables from the Healthcare System Sustainability Unit (HCSS Unit). 

These results include a plain language summary of the Unit’s preliminary findings and the 2024–25 annual report on the Unit’s progress. Both documents are available on the GNWT’s Healthcare System Sustainability webpage.

The HCSS Unit was created in July 2024 to undertake a review of the health and social services system in a manner that will ensure fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency of health and social services delivery in the NWT. The newly released preliminary analysis marks the first time the GNWT has compiled this type of system-wide costing and inventory in a unified and accessible way.

These results will help shape the next phase of work: defining core services and exploring options to improve sustainability and efficiency while protecting access to essential care. The HCSS Unit will continue to collaborate with the Department of Health and Social Services and the three Health and Social Services Authorities, and work with frontline staff, leadership teams, and partners to guide this process.

Together, this work supports the GNWT’s commitment to focus on providing a more sustainable health and social services system.

Quick Facts

•  The NWT spends twice the national average per capita on health and social services;
•  HSS accounts for approximately 26% of the GNWT’s total expenditures;
•  The significant senior population growth rate aligns with the increased growth rate in Seniors and Continuing Care Services;
•  Medical Travel is the program/service area experiencing the most growth;
•  Hospital services account for the largest share of staffing resources; 
•  Total non-GNWT revenues account for approximately 16.4% of overall expenditures; and
•  HSS Authority deficits account for approximately 3.5% of the total HSS system expenditures.

For more information, you can download the following documents directly:
•    HCSS Unit Preliminary Analysis Fact Sheet
•    HCSS Unit Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report

For media requests, please contact: 
Adetoyeke Adedipe
Senior Communications Officer  
Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories 
EIA_FINComms@gov.nt.ca 
(867) 767-9168 ext. 15017