Nunavut’s Health Department announced Sept. 11, updated Sept. 14, that it has arranged an alternative medical-travel route for affected Kitikmeot prenatal patients. The department says care will be coordinated between patients’ home health centres and the maternity clinic in Red Deer. It says meals and accommodation will be provided under Nunavut’s Medical Travel Policy. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The change sends some expecting patients farther south than the previous Yellowknife route and changes where they will stay, attend appointments and receive maternity care. The department says the diversion is meant to relieve occupancy pressure at Larga Kitikmeot during construction of a new boarding home. The medical-travel policy provides for travel benefits for eligible Nunavut residents referred for necessary care unavailable in their home community, and specifically lists travel for childbirth as a reason a client escort can be eligible. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The announcement gives no end date for the Red Deer arrangement, number of patients affected, expected opening date for the new boarding home, or details on whether individual travel dates will change. Affected patients with questions are directed to speak with their health-centre care provider during travel or contact the Office of Patient Relations.

The change applies only to clients who had previously been scheduled to travel to Yellowknife. The Government of Nunavut says patients already scheduled for Edmonton will continue under their existing arrangements. Patients directed to Red Deer will fly into Edmonton and be transported to Ronald McDonald House, across from Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. This is an operational service change, not a proposal or consultation. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗