Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority has found a few nurses to fill the obstetrics unit at Inuvik Regional Hospital [IRH], but only for a month.

A public service announcement was released by the department of public health Oct. 22 on their website.

"The temporary suspension of labour and delivery services at the IRH that was announced in September remains in effect until Nov. 3, 2024," reads the update. "Effective Nov. 4, 2024, the suspension will be lifted temporarily. On Dec. 5, 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 Jan. 11, 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."

Obstetric services at IRH have been disrupted three times this year. Services were last suspended from June 30 to Sept. 9 and previously in January from Jan. 11 to 13.