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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Gibson, Great Slave and Family medical clinics will close in the next year and a half and merge into one large downtown clinic.

Gibson is located on 47 Street, Great Slave is on 53 Street and Family Medical Clinic is in the Tundra Building on 48 Street. The Frame Lake Clinic on Old Airport Road will remain open.

"We're looking at expanded access to a broader mix of primary care," said Kay Lewis, CEO of Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (YHSSA). "We'll have medical care, public health and diagnostic imaging. We're looking at a broader team mix."

Even though the number of medical clinics in the city will go to two from four, Health Minister Sandy Lee said there won't be a reduction in services or doctors, although she said staff "may have changing functions."

"Five years ago the GNWT (territorial government) was at the forefront in changing our system because doctors were under so much work," said Lee. "We put them on a salary model; we cover all the operating costs. That changed the way our practices are done.

"This is all connected with taking pressure off the Stanton Hospital."

There are 27 physicians on staff at YHSSA.

The amalgamated clinic downtown will offer extended hours of service, said Lewis.

"We're going to try to pilot it before hand," said Lewis. "We'll probably start clinics at 8 or 8:30 (a.m.). We're looking at a 12-hour day but what best meets the needs. We may say 8 to 8, but maybe it's better at 9 to 9. We have to do some trial and error."

The new clinic will offer same-day access, walk-in and call-in appointments.

Staff at Great Slave Medical Clinic said they were not allowed to talk about the proposed new clinic but former Yellowknife healthcare worker Theresa Paul said, "We need more doctors and nurses. We need walk-in clinics to alleviate emergency room stress at Stanton."

Lewis said she hopes the new site will be more cost-effective.

"There is a slight increase in operational costs here but we're really looking for some new equipment and furniture to be there," said Lewis. "There's more efficiencies just having a larger site. Mainly through staff scheduling and more efficient use of the clinic."

According to Lewis the main estimates for 2008/09 are projecting $5.2 million in capital and operating costs for the new clinic. The total project will cost $6.6 million.

"We're looking at an occupancy in early 2010," said Lewis.

The site for the new medical centre has yet to be determined.