Aklavik (June 30/03) - Summer in the North means nurse shortages and possible health centre closures.

The Inuvik and Mackenzie Delta regions know nurse shortages are regular challenges, but health officials are hoping this year will be different.

Right now the health centre in Aklavik is scheduled to be closed from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3.

Last week, Aklavik was down one nurse. The situation was the same in Tuktoyaktuk, Fort McPherson, and Deline. The rest of the summer remains uncertain, said Bonnie Lee, director of client services for Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services.

They are hoping to stop shortages and closures from happening by hiring agency nurses, but right now, they aren't allowed to.

"We can't call agency nurses, like the Nightingales, when faced with a shortage because of union issues," Lee said.

"We are trying to get past that. The CEO is working with the union so we can get agencies when absolutely needed," she said.

The minister for health and social services, Michael Miltenberger, said at the legislative assembly earlier this month that he is aware of the situation and is hoping to change it around by the end of the summer.

"The reality is that in many communities that rely on nurses we're rotating through emergency services only because there is a shortage of nurses. We are trying to beef up nurse practitioners," Miltenberger said.

"We will have reduced services. The health centre is open (at this time), it is just certain programs that will be closed," Lee said. "Health promotion services seem to be the ones affected."

Clinics will be open for emergencies.

"Despite the shortages and anxiety, we always seem to pull through," Lee said.