The Hay River Health Authority announced that its emergency department will be without a doctor beginning today and lasting most of this week.
“During this time, HRHSSA will have two Nurse Practitioners in the community to support Medical Clinic operations,” said the organization.
The Hay River Regional Health Centre is experiencing many staffing shortages, causing major disruptions to care.
“Like many regions across Canada, the Northwest Territories continues to experience a shortage of skilled healthcare workers. This ongoing national and territorial staffing shortage continues to impact local health services,” the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority announced on Facebook on April 24..
The organization explained that they are working hard to fill gaps by recruiting permanent staff, locums and casual workers.
“Short-term strategies are in place to help reduce staffing risks, while long-term efforts continue to build a more stable workforce,” they said.
Currently, anyone who visits the Hay River Regional Health Centre ER will be triaged by nurses, who will then consult a doctor by phone. This temporary system in place will continue until a doctor arrives on Saturday, said the Hay River Health Authority.
The Hay River Regional Health Centre serves communities of the South Slave and communities of the Dehcho.
True North FM reached out the the Hay River Health Authority and Hay River leadership for more information and will share those details when they become available.
