Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 06/02) - The cost of an operational review of Stanton Territorial Hospital will top $100,000.

"It may be slightly higher because they've interviewed double the amount of people and spent a lot more time than originally contemplated," said Health Minister Michael Miltenberger.

The review was commissioned at the beginning of September to look at why there were persistent difficulties with staffing, morale and a host of other issues.

"The staff there have made it very clear it's an issue and that is one of the reasons we're taking on this operational review, which is on its closing stages," said Miltenberger.

"We hope we're going to have a report with some very clear recommendations."

Miltenberger came under fire following the announcement of the review from various MLAs who questioned the need for a study.

"This is a complex organization. It's a $50 million operation with nearly 500 staff. When you deal with that kind of operation, as minister, I want to be very careful. I want to have some good, solid information to make decisions on," he said.

Recommendations are expected to focus on management, human resources and staffing, but Miltenberger said it's clear more money is not the only solution.

"The morale problems are not just because there is not enough money. There are other issues that are at play and I want to know what they are," he said.

Miltenberger was unable to say if the review would lead to sweeping changes in administration.

"At any given time in an operation of 500 people any employee that comes in, myself included, can be fired, but the intent is not to fire people," he said.

"The intent is to look at the organization and make sure it is functioning efficiently and effectively. And that we can deal better with the issues of recruitment and retention and bring in some long term stability."

-- with files from Nathan VanderKlippe