INUVIK
NWT Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy and Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services Authority chief administrative officer Owen Partridge were all smiles following the organization's annual general meeting on Jan. 28. But that doesn't mean there aren't some troubling issues to be dealt with.

Lesa Semmler was one of the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services Authority staff members present for a health fair at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex Jan. 28 when the authority held its annual general meeting. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

The authority held its AGM in conjunction with a health fair and a visit from Abernethy, but the approximately 20 people attending the meeting had some pointed questions for health and social services authority representatives and Abernethy.

Mary Ann Ross was the first to broach the sensitive subject of why the authority, like several others in the NWT, is still being guided by a public administrator instead of a board. That's been the case for three to four years, said Peter Clarkson and Abernethy following the meeting.

"How long is the public administrator in place and how long will this continue?" she asked.

Clarkson has been the public administrator for the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services Authority since its board of management was dissolved by the GNWT. Both he and Abernethy said that somewhat drastic move followed a government determination that the board wasn't functioning properly.

Abernethy said the GNWT is determined to have a new board in place by the end of its term in 2015.

The other contentious subject was the authority's accumulating deficit, which now stands at a little more than $6 million.

Fred Koe, a representative of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, asked what health and social services authority's plan is to "recover that deficit?"

Clarkson responded to that question by stating, "we're basically unable to recover any of that without cutting services, because the budget is so tight.

"We'd likely have to eliminate one service altogether," he said.

After the meeting Abernethy addressed both of those points in more detail.

"I've made a commitment in the house that, by the end of this government, something will be done," he said. "Whether it's a board, an authority, a council, we're still working on the structure. Right now it's a board of management, but we are in discussion with CEOs across the territory, with public administrators and chairs across the territory, trying to figure out what is the better model that will give us more seamless, streamlined care for all residents. What we want is better health, better care and better results."

Abernethy added, "there are a number of situations where we have had problems with boards, and we have put public administrators in place, and that's only ever intended to be temporary where we have had trouble with boards.

"There's been one model for the territories, and I'm not sure there is a one-size-fits-all model. We recognize the realities of the North, and we think it's critical to find mechanisms that allow us to get input from the regions and communities and aboriginal governments. It hasn't worked the way it's intended, and we have to get back to that intent."

As for the deficit question, Abernethy didn't appear overly concerned. He said "there is no health authority in the Northwest Territories that isn't running a deficit.

"At the end of the day we're going to give our residents and our patients the care they need. If that means someone has to come in for overtime, they come in for overtime. There's going to be costs, and we're going to pay those costs. As we move forward, there may be a more unified approach here in the NWT. We don't believe it's going to save us money, but it may allow us to make better use of the dollars we have for better results, which means we may not run deficits as often."

Partridge, who was running his first annual general meeting as CEO, said he was very pleased with the meeting.

"I didn't really know what to expect," Partridge said. "But I think this went well."

Earlier in the day, the authority sponsored a health fair for residents at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. The fair started at 2 p.m., with a few people straggling in between 2:30 and 3 p.m. to have a look around.

Peter Fair, the manager of continuing care, who organized the event, said he wasn't discouraged.

"It's about promoting the services we offer and trying to engage the community," he said. "It's a collection of activities and services given through the hospital.

"We want community members to come in and have a look at what we have to offer," Fair continued. "I think the emphasis of the new CEO and the message coming back from the consultations is about greater engagement from the public."