Four months later, what was left of the remaining system has fallen apart and territorial health department officials are in Rankin Inlet to get services running again.

Darrell Bower, acting chief executive officer for the board, said that working toward a new contract with the NMU is an integral part of getting health services in the region up to snuff. He's pleased with the first round of talks and is confident that the 20-year-old relationship can be saved.

"I think they went well and they will allow us to get together after some absence," he said.

Dr. Bruce Martin, acting director of the NMU, said that he sees no reason why a new contract won't become a reality. "Our commitment in the past has been to the Keewatin people," he said. "Any misunderstanding with the KRHB will be put aside." Martin said a new contract would be different from the old one and would likely include more than general practitioner and specialist services to the Keewatin.

"The services will look different -- better -- they will chart a new course. We hope to become part of the renewed service here."

Bower said that some of the additional services might include pharmacy care. "We're looking at other resources ... that we might utilize," he said. "It will be a broader-based service." The main priority last week, he added, was to get an agreement signed last weekend that would ensure that NMU doctors would continue to provide consultation service to the nurses in the Keewatin.

Manitoba doctors had said they wouldn't continue this necessary service without an agreement after the end of January.

"It's a legal document. It's an acceptance of liability ... for the doctors," he said.

Bower said Friday he has every confidence that this agreement would be signed over the weekend so that no disruption in service would put Keewatin patients at risk.