Inuvik birthing services will be unstable until at least mid-January

The N.W.T. government says an ongoing shortage of qualified nursing staff means on-again, off-again suspensions of birthing services in Inuvik will continue into 2025.

In a public noticeTuesday, the N.W.T. Health and Social Services Authority stated that labour and delivery services will be suspended until Nov. 3;then will be temporarily reinstated until Dec. 5; and then will be suspended again until at least Jan. 11.

This latest notice follows months of closures and resumptions of service in the community, as the territory grapples with what it says is a significant reduction of registered nurses who are qualified to handle birthing services.

The health authority has said it's aiming to bolster its core staff by hiring new people or training current staff.

Patients who had been expecting to give birth at the Inuvik Regional Hospital will be transferred toStanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife instead. Pre-and post-natal assessments and care are still available in Inuvik.

The health authority said staff are reaching out to patients who will beimpacted, but anyone who hasn't been contacted orneedsinformation can call Inuvik Primary Care.