Yellowknife (Oct 10/03) - What started as an experiment has become a running success for more than two years.

Karen Graham, nurse practitioner and instructor at Aurora College, said people who come to the clinic feel comfortable in the atmosphere. - Colleen Moore/NNSL photo

Yellowknife's first medical drop-in centre, located at the Centre for Northern Families, was established as a result of a partnership between the Women's Centre, Yellowknife health and social services authority, Aurora College and the Great Slave Medical Clinic.

Nurse practitioner Karen Graham has been involved from the get-go, and said it was a collaborative project designed to provide access and service to people who don't normally seek medical attention.

"It really works," she said. "We all understood we wouldn't have the formal atmosphere (of a clinic) but it is a very low key, comfortable atmosphere."

The drop-in centre is open to the public every Tuesday, and has provided services to people who don't have a physician in town. There is always a doctor on site, as well as Graham or nurse practitioner Elizabeth Cook. Both Cook and Graham are also nurse practioner program instructors at Aurora College.

"Were not out to set up a practice or to take away from other practices," said Graham, adding many of the patients feel comfortable there and they are simply filling a need.

On the busiest day, 43 patients were seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner, and about 15 patients left because they waited too long. Although about 80 per cent of the patients are female, Graham said the clinic is not exclusive to women. Men and children are also welcome.

"All of us saw the service as one of the most important services to the community," said Arlene Hache, centre director.

"The importance of having this clinic is crucial to the community."

Hache said many of the patients who come through are people who don't see a doctor regularly, and in some cases, have never seen one at all.

As word of the clinic spread, the number of people who attend has grown.

"I would really like to expand," said Hache, but with no extra funding being provided for the clinic, expansion may be difficult.

"We just want to keep it going."