Obstetric services at Inuvik’s hospital to be temporarily suspended

Labour and delivery services at the Inuvik Regional Hospital will be temporarily suspended due to a shortage of required physician staff.

The NWT Health and Social Services Agency (NTHSSA) stated Thursday that service reduction will begin on August 15th and is expected to last through August 23rd — and it could go longer.

During this period, the following measures will be implemented:

• Patients who were planning to give birth in Inuvik and who are 36 weeks or further along in their pregnancy during this timeframe have been contacted and recommended to transfer their care to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife.
• Pre-and-post natal assessments and care will continue in Inuvik.
• Pregnant women who require assessment, or who goes into labour during this time, can go to the Inuvik emergency department.

This diversion of care is due to limited availability of specialty physicians.

The NTHSSA stated in a release that it, “understands that any service level reduction may cause concern for residents. Across the NTHSSA, the goal remains to ensure safe staffing levels in all programs in order to avoid service level reductions.

All anticipated impacted patients have been contacted, stated the agency.

Women approaching their delivery dates and who have questions or need more information, can call Inuvik Primary Care at (867) 678-8041.

The NTHSSA also used the Inuvik Regional Hospital service suspension notice to advertise for qualified nurses or a physicians with an interest in working in the NWT. However, the two links in the release did not work.

CKLB did discover the NTHSSA offers, “a few reasons why we think you should consider” the NWT:

• Generous Leave Allowances: Employees earn 16.5 days off during their first year of employment, this is on top of mandatory leave, special leave and even winter bonus days!
• Training Opportunities: Team members are offered regular on the job training and additional professional development is available on a case by case basis.
• Competitive Salary and Pension: Most roles have a starting salary of around $90K plus additional allowances. Employees are part of a defined pension plan administered by the Government of Canada.
• Additional Allowances: On top of a Northern Living Allowance there are additional allowances paid out for uniforms and laundry, education, and specialized training.
• Incredibly Short Commutes: Most northerners enjoy some of the shortest (8 – 12 minute) commute times in the country often on foot or by bike!
• Relocation Assistance: We will arrange and pay for your move to the NWT.

“If you’d like to make a difference and have a positive impact within one of our great Northern communities, apply today,” stated the agency.