Nunavut money spent on hospital review

The Nunavut government taking a close look at how Iqaluit's Qikiqtani General hospital operates, looking for ways to make it more efficient.

The Department of Health and Social Services started the review of the hospital in the summer.

Deputy Minister Peter Ma said that he can't get too specific until next month's budget address but one area the HSS said they are looking to improve on is human resources.

"What I can say is that we will add some additional resources that will help alleviate some of the strain on our nurses," "and in terms of the hospital itself, we are looking at other ways to streamline business practices there."

St. Joseph's Health Systems from Hamilton, Ont., was hired to conduct the review.

"But I think it's worth every penny of it,' "If we had to do this ourselves, I don't think we would have moved as expediently."

It will cost the territorial government about $200,000 but Ma says that is money well spent.

The review is almost done, according to Ma. At that point they will likely go out to a few communities in other regions of Nunavut to do similar reviews of health centres.