Some Nunavut health centres could close for weeks because of staffing, gov't says

The Nunavut government is warning of possible health centre closures or reduced services in several communities this winter, amid a shortage of health-care professionals.

In a news release on Friday, the department of Health saidit expects the following health centres to be temporarily closed, some for weeks at a time. The release refers to seven affected communities, but only lists five:

• Resolute Bay, Jan. 1 - 6 andJan. 12 - 28, 2023.
• Arctic Bay, Jan. 4 - 10, 2023.
• Pond Inlet, Jan. 9 - 30, 2023.
• Igloolik, Jan. 20 - Feb. 28, 2023.
• Kinngait, Jan. 25 - Feb. 28, 2023.

The news releaseblames the closures on "difficulty in securing relief staff due to a national shortage of healthcare professionals."

Similar closures have already happened in recent months in Nunavut, including in Kinngait, Pangnirtung, and Kimmirut.The Health Department had warnedin June it wasfacing a 50 per cent vacancy rateamong its permanent nursing staff and would close several health centres in the summer.

Friday's news release says the department of Health has contingency plans to ensureurgent health services are still available in those communities affected by closures this winter. That could include a combination ofvirtual health, fly-in clinics and paramedic services. Paramedic services will be on site during temporary closures.

People should continue to call their local health centre for care, the department said. Callers would be directed to virtual support services or may be automatically forwarded to other communities.

Staff will be available by phone to help fill prescriptions or arrange medical travel. Residents are advised to try to fill prescriptions before the scheduled closure of their local health centres.

Nunavut's department of Family Services has also been closing some family wellness offices, also because of staffing shortages.

On Monday, that departmentsaid the Gjoa Haven family wellness offices are set tobe closed from Dec. 7to Jan 3. A similar closurewasannounced this month forKugaarukfrom Nov. 16 to Jan. 10. Cambridge Bay saw its family wellness office closed from Nov. 7 to Nov. 14.