Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 18/02) - Two new committees will oversee health and social services in the territory under a three-year restructuring plan unveiled Wednesday.

Health and Social Services Minister Michael Miltenberger said the move is not a centralization of authority over health, rather a system of "co-operation and collaboration" between authorities.

Action plan - Reorganization follows several years of studies. - Although the plan does not follow "It's Time to Act" recommendations by George Cuff and Associates study, some of the issues it raised are addressed. - Among the problems identified in studies: system-wide duplication and overlap, staff turnover, and competition between authorities for professional staff. - Minister expects to have organizational review and plan completed by March 2002.

"There is no move to usurp that (regional) concept, which I consider very key to the Government of the Northwest Territories," he said.

Instead, the new system will have a joint leadership council, chaired by the minister and made up of the deputy minister and chairs of all health authorities. A joint senior management committee was also created, comprised of senior department managers and CEOs of all authorities.

The new committees will ensure there is territory-wide co-ordination on a number of issues, including staff recruitment and retention, training, and ensuring a standard financial accounting system.

"One big ticket item," Miltenberger said, is pulling all employees from all authorities under the same umbrella. That will force health care workers from Fort Resolution, Lutsel K'e and Hay River to become GNWT employees under the Union of Northern Workers.

He would not say what the cost of that change will be due to negotiations.

"It is going to cost something and it will be all worth it to have all employees under this umbrella."

The plan also calls for a toll-free telephone number for people to consult on health concerns, as well as publishing a handbook that will be distributed to all households.

The changes will also see elimination of health boards in Lutsel K'e and Fort Resolution. Those communities will be represented in a new Akaitcho health and social services authority, according to deputy minister Mark Cleveland.

Future of the Fort Smith health authority remains unclear.

As well, boundary changes will see creation of separate Beaufort Delta and Sahtu health authorities. Both areas are now under jurisdiction of the Beaufort Delta board.

Currently there are seven health authorities: the Beaufort-Delta, Sahtu, Deh Cho, Stanton in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Dogrib.

The 2002-2005 action plan was something Miltenberger said he would present quickly after he took over the minister's position from Jane Groenewegen last November. It was completed with the advice and input from all authorities.

"I think, generally, there is very broad support," said Len MacDonald, acting CEO of the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board.