September 7, 2011 - Media are invited to attend a World Suicide Prevention Day display at Centre Square Mall on September 9, 2011. The suicide rate in the Northwest Territories is twice the national average.

This year, the NWT theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is Building Suicide Safer Communities.

Representatives from the Department of Health and Social Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Family Counselling will be present to answer questions and discuss suicide prevention.

 

August 26, 2011 - The Minister of Health and Social Services, via Minister Bob McLeod, addresses the house on plans to alleviate the pressures on HealthNet and various other strategic directions.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read this statement on behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Services, who is currently attending a personal matter.

August 25, 2011 - Canada’s Northern Premiers are welcoming today’s announcement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to extend Territorial Health System Sustainability Initiative (THSSI) funding until March 31, 2014.

August 22, 2011 - The Health Status Report has been released by Health and Social Services Minister J. Michael Miltenberger. The report provides an insight into the health and well-being of the Northwest Territories population.

August 12, 2011 - To support residents in the stop smoking challenge, Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT’s) will be available to all NWT smokers and smoking cessation prescription drugs will be covered under NWT health care benefits, Health and Social Services (HSS) Minister Miltenberger announced today.

August 10, 2011 - Premier Floyd K. Roland has accepted the resignation of Ms. Paddy Meade from her position as Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services effective September 23, 2011.

August 3, 2011 - The Chief Environmental Health Officer advises residents of Tulita the Boil Water Advisory, in effect since July 21, 2011, has now been lifted.

Conditions leading to the advisory have been resolved and Tulita’s water is safe to drink.  Consecutive satisfactory sample results from testing conducted on July 27^th and 29^th for bacteriological, free available chlorine and turbidity samples confirmed the water is safe to drink. Note: bacteriological, free chlorine and turbidity are three different sample types.

August 2, 2011 - Stanton Territorial Hospital is targeting August 12, 2011 to resume elective surgeries. This target date is based on current sterilization equipment showing consistent safety results.

“Safety of patients is our priority,” said Minister of Health and Social Services J. Michael Miltenberger. “Only when Stanton Territorial Health Authority is satisfied that consistent results can be achieved, will we resume our normal business.”

July 28, 2011 - The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) is broadcasting its messages to Northwest Territories (NWT) Residents on its new YouTube Channel.

HSS has launched its official YouTube Channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/HSSCommunications. The channel has informational videos on public health, environmental health, social services, addictions and seniors programming.

July 28, 2011 - The Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (YHSSA) has initiated “Same Day Services” at the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre and Frame Lake Community Health Clinic in response to suggestions from clients and staff in an operational review conducted in April.   

Same Day Services will replace “Walk-In” services formerly delivered at these sites.  Same Day Services allow clients to schedule appointments with a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse or Physician, on the day that they call for the appointment.