Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, April 23, 2007

IQALUIT - First it was March, then it was May. Now, Baffin Regional Hospital will not be opening until the fall, according to the department of Health and Social Services.

A delayed opening date isn't the only hurdle facing the new hospital. In June, an anticipated doctor shortage will result in a temporary loss of medical clinics. Everyone will wait in the emergency room.

"We are looking at late summer or early fall (to open the new hospital). We have three more docs coming in May, but I know we have issues in June," said Lloyd Searcy, executive director of Iqaluit Health Services.

When the hospital was first announced, the expected opening date was March 2007. Last fall it was pushed back to May 2007. This latest delay is the third for SNC Lavelin, the main contractor for the hospital.

"Essentially, it is done," said hospital construction manager Randy Turner. "The idea was (to hand over the building on) Feb. 4, but there have been a number of life safety issues. You can't hand over a building until it is ready and safe. It was delayed at the request of the GN."

Whether fighting a war or building a hospital, supply lines are key. The slow build on this hospital has been used as a teaching case for the military.

SNC Lavelin officials met with Canadian Forces officers in the fall, to share with them how difficult it is to get things done in Nunavut.

"Logistics, the biggest one was transport," said Turner. "Items kept getting bumped off flights, and obviously some things take priority. Manpower, too. We could have hired everyone from the south, but that isn't the way we want to do it. It is hard to find them here."

Even with a delay in their middle school project - which resulted in split shifts at the school for the first part of the school year - and another one with the hospital, SNC Lavelin isn't ready to throw in the towel.

"We are looking at the new Arctic College buildings," said Turner.

Accreditation - a stamp of approval from Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation - is also delayed, due to a change in the way the group assesses hospitals.

Baffin Regional lost its accreditation in January 2006, after failing tests on system competency, responsiveness and worklife. It joined one per cent of Canada's hospitals in sharing the "no accreditation" designation.

The staffing crisis expected in June was predicted in the accreditation report. One of the main reasons Baffin Regional bombed the test was its low staffing levels.

While it is late and understaffed, the new Baffin Regional Hospital is looking better from the outside. The decorative wood on the side of the building is real cedar.

"That stuff will last forever, and it is what the contract called for," said Turner.

Community and Government Services is responsible for the SNC Lavelin contract. Deputy Minister Pam Hine was travelling last week and was not available. When contacted last week, Assistant Deputy Minister Shawn Maley asked for more time to formulate a response but did not comment prior to deadline.