The Yukon T1D Support Network believes that children with Type 1 diabetes do not have their health and well-being supported in Yukon’s K-12 system. We believe that patients were not adequately consulted in the formation of the existing policy (Administration of Medication to Students Policy), nor were paediatric-specific or diabetes-specific organizations. We also believe that the current policy that governs how the Department of Education supports children with Type 1 diabetes has the potential to be harmful, as it does not adequately recognize the limits of families, many of whom do not have strong capacity to represent disease-specific requirements.
We put forward a question in the Q&A of the legislative assembly today. The question was delivered by Patti McLeod, MLA Watson Lake. The following is verbatim delivered question and the answers of Honorable Tracey Anne McPhee and Honorable Ranj Pillai. We thank everyone involved for their thoughtful consideration in questioning and answering, and we will be following up with Diabetes Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, JDRF, and Yukon Government to ensure that children with Type 1 diabetes are protected and supported within the K-12 system.
Ms. McLeod: The Canadian Pediatric Society gives Yukon a rating of “poor” on the management of type 1 diabetes in schools. Recommendations were made to Yukon government on June 14, 2018, and the Department of Education responded in follow-up letters. These letters indicated that the Department of Education asserts that the policy on administration of medication to students is of sufficient breadth in type 1 diabetes management; however, both the Yukon T1D support network and the Canadian Pediatric Society maintain that the current policy does not protect the health and well-being of children with type 1 diabetes.
This government has claimed that they are committed to evidence-based decision-making, so can the Minister of Education explain what evidence she used to arrive at a different conclusion than both of these organizations when it comes to protecting children with type 1 diabetes?
Hon. Ms. McPhee: I don’t see it exactly the same way as the member opposite. The response that was given by the Department of Education clearly outlined the policy that is currently the case. It’s not in fact — as is insinuated by the question — that we have ignored the requirements or the recommendations of the other organizations. In fact, all good policy should be reviewed. We are very keen to work with our communities, particularly any community involved with the health and well-being of children. We will continue to do that. We will review policies as they are brought to our attention or as we proceed through them, because that is a proactive position that the government departments should be and are doing. I don’t see it the same way as the member opposite. In fact, the response was about the current policy and what it says.
Ms. McLeod: As we have mentioned, the Yukon has been given a poor rating when it comes to the management of type 1 diabetes in schools. This rating was from the Canadian Pediatric Society, and it has been backed up by the Yukon type 1 diabetes support network. What efforts have been made to seek patient input, the input of the Canadian Pediatric Society and the input of Diabetes Canada in the formation of this policy — or any policy — that is designed to protect Yukon children with type 1 diabetes?
Hon. Mr. Pillai: At least from my experience, I appreciate the knowledge — even in the short period of time — from speaking with parents who deal with this every day, I have had the opportunity to learn about many challenges that come along with it. I think it is just important to state that — first of all, thank you to the parents who continue to educate every one of us on this very important topic. Secondly, one of the things that I have learned is that there are many organizations that provide services in our communities, but they are not necessarily comfortable, in particular cases, with providing certain treatment options, for a number of reasons. I think that probably has to do with risk and liability. There are policies that have been in place. I think there are probably policies that are parallel to a lot of different types of treatments. I will say that type 1 diabetes is something that has been a challenge for people for a long time, and I know that our government is trying to do the right thing. I am proud that the minister is in the middle of a pilot program. It is not something that has happened before here in the Yukon. We are a year into it. I know that we are going to have a good debate later on today about the importance of these particular supports.
Once again, I think that this is not something in particular that is happening in the Department of Education.