The Stanton Territorial Hospital is experiencing "service interruptions" with its CT scanner and sterilization units, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) stated in a Wednesday .

While the interruptions are affecting the ability to do some diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures, Stanton can still carry out "urgent and emergent surgeries," states the release.

The CT scanner is out of service due to a mechanical issue, but a technician is on site and parts are on the way for a repair.

In the meantime, anyone urgently in need of a CT scan may be referred to Alberta.

The sterilizer unit is also out of service and a technician is expected to be on site today. Back-up sterilization machines are still functioning but have "significantly reduced capacity."

Currently, the hospital is "working to reduce demand for instruments in order to preserve capacity to sterilize instruments for emergency cases," and some priority procedures may go ahead depending on sterilization capacity.

There are no scheduled surgeries April 19 through 22 inclusive due to the Easter long weekend.

"It is important to note that while the timing of these issues is unfortunate, they are unrelated," the  NTHSSA release states.

Any patients who had their surgery or diagnostic imaging services cancelled will be contacted directly.

As of yesterday, 45 CT scans and 12 scheduled surgeries had been cancelled.