Emergency room doctor now working at Hay River Regional Health Centre

The amount of doctors in the emergency room at the Hay River Regional Health Centre has increased.

That's because a locum has arrived in town - NNSL Media confirmed that the doctor was on the job as of Monday afternoon. The hospital was without an on-site physician in both the emergency room and outpatient department last week. 

The most recent service level update from the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority on May 2 noted that emergency room and outpatient services would continue with a "reduced number of practitioners as well as virtual support." There was also a warning about increased wait times may increase based on doctor availability.

"Health care providers in the North are accustomed to the virtual care model, which includes utilizing phone and/or video as required, and this is common practice in many of our smaller communities," stated Krystal Pidborochynski, a communications director with the NWT Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA), told NNSL Media in response to a question about virtual care.

No closures of services are planned for this week, the update added.

The situation in Hay River, as well as the situation at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, where there are no ER doctors available for the entire month of May, saw multiple MLAs speak out to NNSL Media on the state of health care in the NWT and the response from Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler.

Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart had perhaps the most stinging comment. He said he believes in blaming problems, not people but when the problem is leadership in the NWT’s health system, what are people to do, he asked rhetorically. 

“We need new leadership at Stanton, quite frankly, new leadership at the (NTHSSA), and we need a minister who’s going to deliver that. And if the minister’s unwilling to, then we might need a new minister,” said Testart. 

He, like a number of other MLAs, is by no means surprised about this current situation. They say that’s a major reason why it’s so frustrating for each of them. Based on what he’s heard, Testart said health-care workers do not feel like they have a voice right now. 

“It should be the minister’s job to ensure their voice is heard,” he said. “And what I hear, again, consistently is that there’s a failure of leadership. People do not have confidence in the management of our system, and they are leaving in droves.” 

Testart also said part of his job as an MLA is to hold cabinet to account. He added Northerners are sick of this situation and see their health-care system getting worse every day. 

“They’re asking us to do something about it,” said Testart. “Question period and members’ statements aren’t enough. We need to make sure the minister understands what is at stake and sometimes that has to be a minister’s job.” 

Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan told NNSL Media that these crises have been ongoing for a while, making the whole situation frustrating for her. 

“This is not a new thing, it’s not a surprise, but yet we keep reacting very late when crises balloon and become emergencies,” said Morgan. “We have to get ahead of these problems and be able to plan better.” 

NNSL Media has attempted to speak with Semmler on this topic, but requests for comment were turned down. Semmler did issue a statement on Monday in concert with Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek on the state of health care in the territory.

Semmler stated that she hears the concerns being told to her and the government is acting.

"Despite past efforts to improve recruitment, retention, and workplace wellness, many challenges persist - and frontline workers are telling us that more support is needed," she stated. "Over the past several months, I had the opportunity to meet directly with staff across the Northwest Territories through a series of town hall conversations. These discussions have been invaluable in hearing concerns firsthand, answering questions, and sharing my goals for strengthening our health and social services system."

Semmler also stated that the appointment of Dan Florizone, NTHSSA's public administrator, in December will help "lead system-wide improvements and strengthen support for both staff and leadership."

"While this work is ongoing, it reflects a serious commitment to building a stronger, more resilient workforce and health and social services system," she stated.