YELLOWKNIFE (March 12, 2015) – Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy tabled the 2014 NWT Patient Experience Satisfaction Questionnaire Report in the Legislative Assembly today. The report highlights the findings of questionnaires completed by people using health care services in the NWT during July and August of 2014.
Mr. Speaker, last May we presented Our Elders: Our Communities, a Strategic Framework outlining the Government’s commitment to support Elders and Seniors who wish to live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, and ensure that services are available when this option is no longer viable.
Mr. Speaker, each year we celebrate March as National Social Work Month. Social work is a profession for those with a passion to help improve people’s lives. Social Workers help individuals, families and communities by providing support and resources and working through challenging and complex circumstances.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health & Social Services is pursuing the 17thLegislative Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated people by investing in prevention, education awareness, and early childhood development. By working in partnership with community and Aboriginal governments, non-governmental organizations, health professionals and other stakeholders we can achieve our vision of Best Health, Best Care, for a Better Future.
YELLOWKNIFE (February 26, 2015) – Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy announced the launch of a new service to help health care practitioners better meet the medical needs of residents in all NWT communities today. Called Med-Response, the service provides a single phone number practitioners can call to coordinate and triage air ambulance flights and immediately access the clinical expertise they need; whether that is a Nurse Practitioner, ER physician, NWT specialist, or specialist from Alberta.
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to announce the official launch of the Med-Response call centre. Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs joined me earlier today at Stanton Territorial Hospital to celebrate this milestone.
Mr. Speaker, the late Nelson Mandela said that overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right; the right to dignity and a decent life. As a government, we are committed to helping residents be self-reliant and to live with dignity. We have made investments in a wide range of programs, including education, housing, early childhood development, health promotion, and addiction prevention and treatment to help reduce and prevent poverty in our territory. However, government alone cannot eliminate poverty.
Mr. Speaker, as we have been hearing in this Assembly recently, on-the-land healing programs are critical to achieving our goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty. That discussion echoes recommendations previously made by the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Fostering Open Expression among Youth team, better known as FOXY, for receiving the 1 million dollar Arctic Inspiration Prize.
YELLOWKNIFE (January 5, 2015) – Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy announced today that the Stanton Territorial Health Authority (STHA) has awarded the air ambulance contract to Air Tindi Ltd. and Advanced Medical Solutions Inc., dba ACCESS (Aeromedical Critical Care Emergency Services Specialists). The eight-year contract was awarded following an extensive evaluation process by STHA and the Department of Health and Social Services.
