N.W.T. doctors say severe staff shortages could force Yellowknife ER closures this summer

N.W.T. doctors are sounding the alarm, warning that without urgent action from the territorial government, the emergency room at Stanton Territorial Hospital could face closures this summer. Dr. Courtney Howard, an ER doctor in Yellowknife, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that they are at a “crisis point.”

Speaking on behalf of the Northwest Territories Medical Association to the standing committee on social development, Howard and other doctors highlighted the critical need for increased pay for locum emergency room physicians to ensure adequate staffing levels at the hospital. They expressed concerns that without intervention, almost half of all ER shifts over the next five months will go unfilled due to severe staff shortages.

Howard stressed the importance of bringing in more locum doctors to address the gaps in coverage. However, with pay rates increasing nationwide in response to doctor shortages, the N.W.T. is struggling to offer competitive compensation. She noted that locum doctors from other parts of Canada are taking pay cuts when working in the territory, making recruitment and retention even more challenging.

Dr. Danielle Stachiw echoed these concerns, highlighting the “critical shortages” in ER coverage at Stanton Territorial Hospital. She emphasized the vital role of the Yellowknife emergency room in the N.W.T.’s healthcare system, referring to it as the “beating heart” of the Northern system. Stachiw warned that even a brief closure of the Stanton ER would have disastrous consequences for the territory.

The doctors’ presentation prompted a public briefing with Premier R.J. Simpson on the health-care system sustainability unit, which is conducting a comprehensive review of government health programs and services. While acknowledging the immediate challenges facing the healthcare system, Simpson assured that efforts are underway to address them.

Terence Courtoreille, the associate deputy minister of the unit, clarified that their focus is primarily on long-term solutions. However, the urgency of the situation at Stanton Territorial Hospital underscores the need for immediate action to ensure the continued operation of the emergency room and safeguard access to critical healthcare services for residents of the Northwest Territories.