Yellowknife (May 02/03) - The Stanton Territorial Health Authority is turning over a new leaf.

A new nine-member management board is in the works six months after the former board voted to dissolve itself. Last November the chief executive officer was fired and the board disbanded after an operational review criticized hospital management.

"I'm confident whatever the minister chooses to do will be in the best interest of the territories," said former board chair Larry Elkin after hearing about the resurrection.

Over the past six months a "well-defined" leadership model was developed by the government and the health authority to prevent what happened in the past, said Dave Murray, deputy minister of Health and Social Services.

Since the board dissolved, Al Woods was hired as the interim chief executive officer and Murray has been acting as a public administrator in addition to his duties as deputy minister.

During the last legislative assembly no changes were made to territorial board legislation and rather than wait for a new government to come in next year, the health authority decided to get the board rolling again, said Murray.

"Instead of waiting we decided to restore the board so we could get back to normal operations," said Murray.

"The Stanton Territorial board structure is to represent all the territory and it's pretty hard to do that with just board administration.

"You don't get the same broad opinions."

Murray said the process will take several months.

Right now the government is collecting nominations from territorial bands, City of Yellowknife, the health authority and MLAs. The nomination deadline is set for mid-May. Then the appointments will be made sometime in June.

Murray said the first board meeting should be this summer.

The management board is responsible for the planning and facilitation of health services and operational planning.

"They make sure the direction of Stanton reflects as much of the territory's interests as it can," said Murray.

The nine members -- one for every health authority -- serve a three-year term.

What it takes

Elkin, who served one three-year term on the former board, said it takes dedication to be a good board member.

"There is a high level of responsibility and accountability and one needs to take the time to do the role," he said Monday.

He said the work load equals "29 or 30 per cent of a normal full-time job."

Despite the final upheaval, Elkin said he enjoyed the experience because the role was so key to helping with the delivery of health services all over the territory.