Hay River (Jun 19/06) - The absence of permanent doctors in Hay River shows no sign of ending.

Paul Vieira, the CEO of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, says there are still only locum physicians - doctors who travel to different communities for short periods.

Paul Vieira is the CEO of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority. - NNSL file photo

The town has not had a permanent physician since mid-May. However, Vieira says the number of locums is looking to be in "pretty good shape" for the summer, with three or four in town. For the last two weeks of June, Hay River will be down to two locums, and only one from June 21-23, along with two nurse practitioners.

"That will mean very limited opportunities for appointments at the clinic," Vieira says, explaining the nurse practitioners will take appointments, but not the doctors.

The walk-in service at the medical clinic, which is located near the hospital, has not been offered since December.

Anyone without an appointment at the clinic but in need of immediate medical attention has to go to the hospital. As of last week, there were three locums in the community.

Vieira says the search for permanent physicians is ongoing, but no hirings are imminent.

"It's a fluid situation, and we keep looking," he says.

Vieira says the ideal situation would be to have permanent physicians, noting discussions take place with doctors who may be available.

"Because we're in discussions, it could change overnight," he says.

The health authority is being assisted in the search by a couple of national recruiters and the territorial Department of Health and Social Services.

Vieira says he is not surprised by the difficulty in attracting permanent physicians to Hay River, noting the shortage of doctors is a national problem.