Emergency department physician services returned to regular services as of March 24, following a March 22 statement from the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.

Erin Griffiths, chief executive officer of Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) said in a March 22 news release that reduction in doctor availability that had been planned between March 19 to 28 would be ending four days early.

SA国际影视传媒淗RHSSA has continued to recruit during this time, and we have confirmed additional support to resume physician services within our emergency department as of Thursday, March 24th,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Griffiths commended workers at the health centre who have shown patience while management handles shortages in service.

SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to take this opportunity to thank our very talented staff for their continued teamwork and resiliency as we managed our way through this unprecedented time,SA国际影视传媒� Griffiths said.

SA国际影视传媒淭heir readiness and ability to support our community during this time continues to be greatly appreciated.SA国际影视传媒�

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, registered nurses, family physicians and laboratory technicians are all positions that remain in dire need and are being sought after, the health authority asserts.

SA国际影视传媒淪taffing shortages are being driven by a combination of difficulties in recruitment, a highly competitive job market for health and social services professionals and vacancies caused by departures or retirements,SA国际影视传媒� according to the March 23 release.

Gayla Thunstrom, president of the Union of Northern Workers said this week in an email that the union, which represents health care workers in Hay River, has long called for efforts by the territorial government to address difficulties with staff shortages.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Union predicted that unless we saw some immediate and concrete action from the government, it was only a matter of time before we saw more reductions in healthcare services,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are disappointed that this prediction has been realized again, and that yet another community has to experience reductions in services.SA国际影视传媒�

Thunstrom pointed out that the challenges the health care sector is facing is not unique to the territory, let alone to one SA国际影视传媒渟pecific position, workplace, or community.SA国际影视传媒�

She added that there could be opportunities to address the issue adding that the government can explore ways to be more competitive to attract and retain staff.

SA国际影视传媒淧erhaps there is an opportunity for the union and the employer to work together in collective bargaining to find ideas and solutions for our healthcare members,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淥utside of bargaining, the Union is always open to meeting with the employer to discuss solutions, but it is frustrating when the employer is unwilling to negotiate or incorporate membersSA国际影视传媒� feedback into their plans.

SA国际影视传媒淗ealthcare workers in Hay River care deeply about the patients and their community, and are worried about this effect of short-staffing on patient care.SA国际影视传媒�