I was dismayed to learn from Mr. Holland's intervention, as well, that we don't have accurate or up-to-date numbers on patient satisfaction within the forces. I was dismayed to learn that, until I turned to point 4.17, in which that data is included in the report. It says here, “According to a patient satisfaction review conducted by National Defence in 2006, more than 85% of those who responded reported that they were satisfied with the health care they received.” That's on page 9.
In 2004, a Canadian Forces health and lifestyle survey found that 83% of members felt their health concerns were addressed at the time of their appointment, and 76% stated they received results of tests and procedures within an appropriate timeframe. More than 80% of members felt that the clinic's hours met their needs.
There's some up-to-date data that might be useful to members of the opposition as they consider the Afghan mission and the position they might like to take in the future.
I have a question around the costs and the administration of military health care. I see here that point 4.36 says that regular-force military physicians range in salary from $207,000 to $231,000--perfectly reasonable. What strikes me as potentially unreasonable is that on the previous page it indicates that 40% of physicians in the military are doing administrative work. That does seem to be an enormous amount of cost for an administrative worker. Having a licence to practise medicine seems like a heck of a lot of qualification necessary for a position in the administration of the system rather than in the direct delivery of health care.
Can you comment on why this is?