Virtual doctors to help keep ER open in Hay River, N.W.T., until next week

Remote doctors will help provide care at the health centre in Hay River, N.W.T., until late next week to keep the emergency department open amid a shortage of on-site physicians, says the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.

In an update posted to Facebook Thursday afternoon, the authority said it would keep the emergency department open from July 17 to 24, with "limited" physician coverage and support from nurses and virtual doctors. 

The authority described virtual doctors in its release as licensed health-care professionals who provide remote care and can do things like carry out assessments and give prescriptions.

"They work closely with on-site staff to ensure continuity of care," the authority said. 

"Residents are asked to be mindful that wait times may vary depending on physician availability and patient volumes." 

People are still asked to call 911 if they have an emergency. 

N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson, who is from Hay River, told CBC News in an interview Friday he wasn't aware of the specifics of the situation. But, he said, "in Hay River, we're used to not having doctors, we're used to using virtual care, we're used to using telehealth. Frankly, unfortunately, it's nothing new." 

As Simpson suggested, this is not the first time the authority is relying on virtual doctors. In April, it said it would go without an on-site doctor at the health centre for nearly a week. 

At the time, it said patients needing a doctor would be connected to one virtually or they would be medevaced to Yellowknife or Edmonton if needed. 

The Northwest Territories Medical Association has long railed against the use of virtual doctors in the territory.