Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 02/05) - The public asked for improvements and they received them with the refurbishing of the Great Slave Community Health Clinic, say health officials.

The newly renovated clinic had its grand opening, Wednesday, and is ready for business, said Jill Christensen, the primary health care project co-ordinator.

"We started renovations in March. The ventilation system needed upgrading and some of the flooring needed to be replaced," Christensen said of the clinic, on 53rd Street.

"What started out to be small became larger," she said of the extent of the renovations.

The total cost of the project is still being tallied, but Christensen said renovation funding from Health Canada was between $200,000 and $250,000.

Clients will see a newly improved reception area combined with the administration area.

There also is now a wheelchair accessible washroom and also a chair-stairs unit to go downstairs.

There are three full-time physicians on staff, as well as others who provide services to thousands of patients.

There also is a nurse practitioner who regularly sees patients.

"What we have added to the clinic is a public health nurse, an advocacy worker from the women's centre and a mental health worker," she said of the variety of services offered at the clinic.

Kate Wilson, a worker from the YWCA transition house, said it is good to have access to the services found at the clinic.

"A lot of work has gone in to put this team together," she said. "We're hoping it becomes a way to do business in the NWT and looking at primary health care for everybody to access."

The clinic will also provide services for patients with alcohol and drug addictions, said Diane Hrstic, a member of the advisory committee for the Tree of Peace.

"It is one of the outreach services that can be made available for patients coming into the community health clinic," she said of this service.

"It will be a lot easier for doctors because he will know that if it is not a medical detoxing, then there is help nearby," Hrstic said.

Christensen said everyone is finding the success of working together as a team at the clinic. A survey given to 157 people from 11 community groups was given by the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority which asked clients what services they thought most important.

"The top seven things they wanted, we have done," she said of the recommendations which include treating mental health issues, drug or alcohol treatment, helping those in crisis, dealing with sexually transmitted infection treatments, helping pregnant women, helping the sick and injured and providing information on income support, housing and legal aid.

"It's called primary health care and it's providing the most appropriate service by the most appropriate person at the right time and the right place," Hrstic said.

"It's having the patient as the focus."