Labour and delivery services will be suspended due to a shortage of physicians in Inuvik starting August 15, the NWT health authority said Thursday.
In a news release, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, or NTHSSA, said patients who are 36 weeks or further along in their pregnancy and were planning to give birth in Inuvik have been recommended to transfer their care to Stanton Territorial Hospital.
Pre and post-natal assessments and care will continue at the Inuvik hospital, the health authority said.
“The NTHSSA 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,” the news release said.
NTHSSA said anyone who is pregnant and requires an assessment or who goes into labour in Inuvik should go to the Inuvik Regional Hospital’s emergency department while labour and delivery services are suspended.
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While the service suspension is set to end after August 23, NTHSSA said it could be extended.
The health authority said people with questions or needing more information can call Inuvik Primary Care at (867) 678-8041.
