What to know as YK health services begin move to new building

Three Yellowknife health facilities are moving into the city’s refitted old hospital, a transition that starts on Friday, May 24.

The Frame Lake and Yellowknife Primary Care clinics are each moving services to the Łıwegǫ̀atì Building, which is the new name for the renovated former Stanton Territorial Hospital. (A new Stanton now sits next to it. That building became the main hospital in 2019.)

In Pictures: Yellowknife’s Łıwegǫ̀atì healthcare building

The Stanton Medical Centre is also moving services to the Łıwegǫ̀atì Building, which expects to open its doors to patients for the first time on May 30.

Here’s a briefing from the NWT’s health authority on what’ll happen over the next week.

If you need an appointment

From May 24 to May 30, you can get same-day appointments at the existing downtown Yellowknife Primary Care Centre location.

“Capacity has been increased at this clinic to serve residents during this time,” the health authority stated.

You can also request a call-back for an appointment using an online form.

Appointments after May 30

If you have a scheduled appointment after May 30, “it is likely located at the Łıwegǫ̀atì Building,” the health authority stated.

If you book a same-day appointment after May 30, “you will be told where your appointment will be” as it could be either downtown or at the new building. You can call 867-767-9294 if you’re not sure and want someone to confirm your appointment’s location for you.

Numbers to call

The existing numbers for clinics will remain operational, the health authority stated – they’ll just redirect you to the right place where necessary.

Use the health authority’s website for a detailed list of phone numbers either for health services in Yellowknife or rehab services.

“Outpatient rehabilitation services will not be answered during the move, but after May 30 you can call” for an appointment, the health authority stated.

“In addition to the old numbers, a new central phone number for Łıwegǫ̀atì Building will be operational in the weeks to come. Information on phones will be communicated in advance of changes.”

What moves next

A second phase, set to begin in June, will involve moving staff and patients from the extended care unit at Stanton Territorial Hospital into a dedicated unit at the Łıwegǫ̀atì Building.

Long-term care will be the last thing to open in the new building, later in the year.