Public Notice: Important Update on Service Reduction to Obstetrics at Inuvik Regional Hospital

Public Notice

(Inuvik, October 22, 2024) – The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services (NTHSSA) is providing an important update on the suspension of labour and delivery services at the Inuvik Regional Hospital (IRH).

  • The temporary suspension of labour and delivery services at the IRH that was announced in September remains in effect until November 3rd, 2024.
  • Effective November 4th, 2024, the suspension will be lifted temporarily.
  • On December 5th, 2024, the NTHSSA will reinstate the temporary suspension of labour and delivery services at the IRH. This diversion of care is expected to continue through to at least January 11th, 2025.

During the temporary suspension of labour and delivery services at IRH, the following measures will be implemented:

  • Patients who were planning to give birth in Inuvik and who are 36 weeks or more in their pregnancy during this timeframe, will be contacted and advised to transfer their care to Stanton Territorial Hospital (STH) in Yellowknife.
  • Pre-and-post natal assessments and care will continue at IRH.
  • Anyone in Inuvik who is pregnant and requires assessment or who goes into labour during this time is asked to please present to the IRH emergency department for care. 

All impacted patients will be contacted as early as possible. If you are approaching your delivery date and you have not been contacted or need more information, please call Inuvik Primary Care at (867) 678-8041.

Background

This ongoing change in service levels for labour and delivery at IRH is related to the continued significant reduction of available qualified obstetric registered nursing staff. Service levels will continue to be reassessed and adjusted as necessary based on current and expected staffing levels in support of the safest provision of care and services.

The NTHSSA understands that the ongoing service level reduction may cause concern for residents. As previously communicated, our goal remains improving core staffing levels either through new hires or training of current in-territory staff to ensure we have the specialized staff required to support these services safely and sustainably. If you are a qualified obstetrics nurse with the credentials and ability to work in the NWT, please visit www.gov.nt.ca/careers/ or www.practicenwt.ca/en/hss-careers.

Should this information change or as more information becomes available, the NTHSSA will provide updates.