A freeze on planned births at Inuvik Regional Hospital has been extended to Jan. 22 as the health authority struggles with a staffing shortage.
Planned births at the hospital had previously been suspended from Jan. 11 to Jan. 14.
“Individuals who were planning to give birth in Inuvik and who are 36 weeks or more in their pregnancy will be contacted and it is highly recommended their care be transferred to Yellowknife,” said David Maguire, NWT Health and Social Services (NTHSSA) media relations person. “ In some cases, based on discussions with a clinician individuals may be supported to remain in-community until 37 weeks. Those who are under 36 weeks gestation before Janaury 22nd are not expected to be impacted at this time.
“Inuvik Regional Hospital will continue to ensure emergency labour and delivery care is available during the service reduction. Pre-and-post natal assessments and care will continue. Anyone who is pregnant and requires assessment or who goes into labour should present to the IRH emergency department for care. “
An announcement was first issued by way of press release on Jan. 11.
Emergency births will still be handled by the hospital, but people who were planning to give birth over the next several days will be flown to Yellowknife.
“Should shortages persist or recur, extension of service reduction or reintroduction may be required, and will be announced at the appropriate time,” said Maguire previously. “This service reduction is necessary as staffing levels of qualified obstetric nurses during this time period mean that Inuvik Regional Hospital is not able to ensure adequate personnel with the required specialized skills to assure an acceptable standard of care is maintained.
“Inuvik Regional Hospital will continue to ensure emergency labour and delivery care is available during the service reduction. Pre-and-post natal assessments and care will continue. Anyone who is pregnant and requires assessment or who goes into labour should present to the IRH emergency department for care.”
NTHSSA has been struggling to recruit specialized obstetric nurses since at least 2019, explained Maguire. In 2022, a similar staffing shortage forced Stanton Hospital in Yellowknife to reduce its service level for a full four months.
The health authority has been aggressively trying to hire specialized nurses but with limited results. Maguire said a call-out has been made to available staff across the territory and to casual staff to ensure the shortfall only lasts for four days.
He added the problem isn’t necessarily that there aren’t enough nurses willing to work in the North, it’s that there are not enough nurses period.
“There is a national nursing shortage and high demand across all jurisdictions for nurses; this is more acute in areas where specialized skills and training are required, such as obstetrics,” he said.