Wrigley (July 06/01) - Wrigley wants a full-time nursing position restored in the community, according to Pehdzeh Ki Chief David Moses.

Kathy Tsetso, chief executive officer for Deh Cho Health and Social Services (DCHSS), said a compromise is being sought, but re-establishing a permanent position is unlikely.

Pehdzeh Ki First Nation Chief David Moses appealed for support from the DCFN to have a nurse returned to Wrigley. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

A nurse was stationed in Wrigley until two years ago, then a change was made to offer service through Fort Simpson. Although a nurse visits the community for up to a week each month, there isn't necessarily going to be one on site if and when a serious accident occurs, Moses said, adding that Fort Simpson is almost three hours away by road.

"We have a lot of elders and little ones who need medical attention," Moses said. "We've tried everything ... nothing's been done."

Tsetso noted that the nursing position in Wrigley was cancelled, at least in part, due to repeated harassment within the community.

"It's a work safety issue really, and service delivery from Simpson has been effective over the past few years," she said, adding that a community of 250 or more people warrants a nursing position. Population estimates in Wrigley range from 140 to 180.

Tsetso also added that recruitment and retention is difficult enough in larger regional centres such as Fort Simpson, let alone smaller communities such as Wrigley.

Moses said his community has even offered to take control of the contract if DCHSS turns over the funding.

However, Tsetso replied that having a non-unionized employee who isn't working for DCHSS would pose too many problems, but assistance to that nurse wouldn't be refused in an emergency, she said.

"It's just not a good solution," she said. "The linkage isn't there."

Instead, DCHSS is proposing that a community health representative position be created in Wrigley to promote healthy living, Tsetso said. There's also a possibility a student nurse could work in Wrigley, she said.