Iqaluit (Aug 14/06) - Nunavut is down another doctor. Viviane Provost, who had been seeing patients in the Baffin Regional Hospital for barely a month, has left the territory.

Provost, who was visibly upset by the situation during an interview in her office, suspects she wasn't offered a contract because she wanted to run a family practice without doing shifts in the emergency room.

Family doctor Viviane Provost had a contract offer rescinded by the Government of Nunavut despite wanting to stay in the territory. Provost, who had been looking for a house in the capital, feels Nunavut would be a good place for her daughters to live. - Chris Windeyer/NNSL photo Full time doctors in Baffin Region: 11 funded positions, eight filled Full time doctors in Kivalliq Region: six funded positions, three filled Full time doctors in Kitikmeot Region: four funded positions, three filled (includes doctors in Yellowknife who provide part-time support by telephone)

"I had asked them to (let me) be a bit slower and see patients every 30 minutes" instead of every 15, she said. "I know that I'm not the problem."

Provost, who practised in the Montreal area for 20 years and whose first language is French, said she needed a chance to get used to dealing with patients in English.

Sandy Macdonald, the health department's director of medical affairs, said he couldn't comment on specific personnel matters. But he said: "This is not a screwy thing that doesn't make sense."

While the government tries to offer doctors flexibility, MacDonald also has to ensure Baffin Regional's emergency room is adequately staffed without burning out the doctors who work there.

"If I use up my budget hiring people who don't do (emergency room work), I'm going to kill the people who are," MacDonald said. "We can cancel a clinic this afternoon if I don't have a doctor, but I can't close the emergency room."Health and social services minister Leona Aglukkaq wasn't available for comment.

Provost and her husband, an accountant with the Government of Nunavut, were house hunting and were prepared to stay for four years. She feels Iqaluit would have been a good place to raise her daughters, seven, 11 and 12.

"I really think my three daughters would be really happy here," she said.

Instead, Provost is considering a job at the health centre in Kuujjuaq, Que. or possibly Africa.

Provost is the second doctor to leave Nunavut in the last two months. James Wiens did not have his contract renewed despite wanting to continue his practice in Rankin Inlet and being well-liked by the community.