Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 25/02) - The bad health habits of Northerners are among the problems plaguing staff at Stanton Territorial Hospital, Michael Miltenberger told a crowd gathered at the Baker Community Centre.

Dr. Ken Seethram wants answers from the minister. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

"As a territory we smoke too much, we drink too much, we eat the wrong things and we don't exercise and these components cause these doctors to work like slaves."

The territorial health minister was speaking at a public meeting of the Stanton Territorial Health Authority.

As for the understaffing and ward closures at the hospital, which had brought so many people out on a Wednesday night, among them doctors, nurses and teachers, the minister said: "We're sorting through a lot of issues, but we do have a plan."

While he didn't reveal what that plan is, he did say the lack of money is a major problem.

"Health does not live in a vacuum. As a territorial government we are facing fiscal restraints. I wish it was as easy as giving them the money they need. As minister I could spend $400 million and be back in a year saying it's not enough," he added.

Miltenberger said there are issues to deal with beyond the Stanton Hospital. Addictions services and care for alzheimers patients, not to mention vital services in other government departments, are all going to cost money.

Barrage of words

Every speaker who came up to the microphone attacked the government, saying it has allowed Stanton to fall into crisis.

They each praised nurses and doctors for the level of care they have been able to provide. But they said they all fear the system will soon collapse under the enormous pressure of staff shortages and ward closures.

"I see a lack of vision, a lack of priorities and a lack of leadership," said Robert O'Connor.

A long time Northerner, O'Connor said he has watched the health care system in the North evolve and progress and he finds the current state of affairs disheartening.

"The system has sunk into a state of chaos and the problem is not that we don't have the money, but how the money is spent."

Ward closed

As it stands, the intensive care unit at Stanton remains closed, there have been suggestions the obstetrics unit is short staffed, and the operating room is short 20 on- call shift positions.

The problems not only concern the public, they are frightening doctors as well.

"My wife is pregnant and expecting our first child and may have to be in, God forbid, on one of those days with no (operating room) coverage and need an emergency cesarean and she won't get it," said Dr. Ken Seethram, who is also president of the NWT Medical Association.

"When will the minister give the board and administration the power to make this problem go away?"

Dr. Ross Wheeler said the health care system in the North has talented and dedicated staff, but he fears they are ready to break.

"The system has been riding on the backs of workers who have been trying to go the extra mile. This is not sustainable," he said.

"The question is how much health care are you willing to pay for?"

National problem

The minister has lamented that the staffing problem is a national issue and more nurses need to be trained, especially in the North.

Nurse educators worry that the current system strain could undermine that goal.

They say nurses are being forced to be everything to everyone. Students become staff and nurses without training certificates are being forced to train staff.

"This is very disruptive to their learning experience," said Pertice Moffitt, a nurse educator at Aurora College. "It puts a lot of pressure on them."