Rankin Inlet (May 16/05) - The long wait is almost over. Norm Hatlevik, the executive director of the Kivalliq Regional Department of Health and Social Services, appeared before hamlet council in Rankin Inlet earlier this month to pass on the good news that the Kivalliq Health Centre is near completion.

Size: 25,000 square feet Building cost: $16 million Equipment cost: $4 million Number of beds: 10 to 13 Employees: 71 full and part time Clinical providers: 16 Physicians: Six First outpatients: Mid-August First inpatients: Mid-September

Hatlevik said it was a momentous day for the region when the key to the new building was finally handed over to his department.

He said staff members are now moving in furniture and medical equipment that has been stored in the hamlet for the past year.

"We have stuff at the FOL hangar and the CON shed is full of our items," said Hatlevik.

"M&T has been storing our temperature-sensitive lab equipment, which had to be stored in a heated environment.

"It will take a month, or a little more, to get everything moved into the facility."

Staff orientation

Once the building is equipped, another month will be taken for staff members to get orientated to their new surroundings and used to the paper-and-patient flow.

"We'll also be using the staff-orientation period to move in some parts of the current health centre.

"But, if all goes according to plan, we'll be seeing our first patients in the new health centre by the first or second week of August."

Hatlevik said there are still about 12 minor deficiencies to be addressed, but none have the potential to delay the centre's opening.

He said kudos are to be given to the efforts put in by the project-planning team co-ordinated by Sara Flynn.

"We've had four or five people involved with that team, each with a specific task such as bio-medical, equipment and supplies and human-resource material.

"They did an outstanding job and we wouldn't be at this point without their efforts."

Work with committee

Hatlevik said his department wants to start meeting with members of the local health committee to develop a health plan and terms of reference for the community.

"The hamlet can bill us for any extra hours the committee members may work over their current honorarium.

"Once we get rolling, the Rankin group could help other communities having trouble getting their health committees up and running."