The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority has announced that the reduction to labour and delivery services at the Inuvik Regional Hospital will be extended.
The suspension in delivery services was first put into place in September, and as of this announcement, they will now be on hold until at least November 3rd. The suspension will be temporarily lifted on November 4th, and is planned to be reinstated on December 5th.
During the suspension, patients who were planning on giving birth in Inuvik and are at least 36 weeks along in their pregnancy will have their care transferred to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife. Pre and post-natal care will still be offered at IRH.
Patients who will be impacted by this continued service reduction will be contacted as soon as possible.
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 will provide updates if anything changes in this matter.
