The suggested changes constitute a complete restructuring of a system that, in just 10 years, has been transferred from the federal government to the territorial government and then to 9 health and social services boards. The report points out that the territorial government has produced 4 major reviews of its health care system during the past 5 years, resulting in about 200 recommendations, many of which have yet to be acted upon.
Action is wanted today.
The report says that the territorial government should retain responsibility for legislation, standards and enforcement, but responsibility for program delivery should be transferred from regional boards to local communities over the next 5 years. Territorial funding should not be program specific, and boards should be free to negotiate among themselves for shared services. The forum visited 12 communities across the NWT and received input from more than 800 individuals and organizations. These include groups devoted to mental health, the aged, disabled, and a wide range of conditions and disabilities, which should be supported by multiyear funding through regional boards. Substance abuse remains the NWT's most serious health concern, the authors said.