The Hay River Medical Clinic will be back to normal hours Monday, after a doctor shortage prompted the clinic to reduce hours for the first half of the month.
The clinic will offer walk-in and booked appointments starting Monday, May 13th. The shortage was a result of two locums, who were set to cover the leave of two local doctors, cancelling their stay in Hay River.
READ MORE: Facing doctor shortage, Hay River walk-in clinic reduces hours
CEO of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority Erin Griffiths says no appointments had to be cancelled during the shortage and services including home care, dialysis and x-rays continued as usual. “Two prescription clinics were held during this time, and a partnership with our local pharmacy Ring’s Drug Store was established to reduce the impact on clients,” Griffiths states. “Clients seeking clinic services were asked to utilize our emergency department, which at times, required a wait time for services.”
Griffiths adds the health authority is continuously recruiting for Hay River, which currently has three full-time resident physicians serving the town of just over 2,700 residents. To avoid future shortages, Griffiths states the health authority is working with the GNWT’s health department on a joint recruitment strategy.
