N.W.T. no longer offering rheumatology services, patients must travel to Edmonton | 24CA News

People within the N.W.T. who stay with rheumatoid arthritis will now need to journey to Alberta for care, after the territory’s well being division opted to cease providing rheumatology companies in Yellowknife.

The determination was “based on the interest in having regular providers and a coordinated program to support the triage, management and coordination of care for residents in a consistent and ongoing manner,” in response to an emailed assertion from David Maguire, a spokesperson for the territory’s well being and social companies authority.

“The services that we were delivering via visiting rheumatologists have become increasingly difficult to organize in a way that would provide continuity for patients,” Maguire wrote.

The change was first reported final week by Cabin Radio. The well being authority didn’t make an announcement about it.

Until now, folks in want of rheumatology companies within the N.W.T. had been seen by visiting specialists from Alberta. That type of “episodic” care was insufficient, in response to Maguire.

“The crux of the issue is ensuring that we have consistency in frequency of visiting specialists and critically: support in between visits,” Maguire wrote.

Steven Katz, an Alberta-based rheumatologist who’s been making journeys to see sufferers within the N.W.T. since final 12 months, agrees that continuity of care is essential for sufferers.

He had been in discussions with the N.W.T. well being authority about organising an area rheumatology program that will be staffed by a rheumatologist and one other allied well being skilled. He says the well being authority determined that would not work. 

“My understanding is they’re not happy that we can’t identify a given rheumatologist to take the lead on this [local program], in a long-term sort of way,” mentioned Katz.

“Certainly we’ve made clear that, at least for the next 12 to 18 months, as long as we start up this arthritis program, that we would be more than willing to continue to provide service in Yellowknife.”

Katz mentioned the choice impacts about 400 folks, in response to the federal government’s checklist, however he figures it is most likely extra. Those sufferers will now need to fly to Edmonton for care, he mentioned.

“How many patients who are established patients and have known rheumatic disease aren’t on that list [of 400]? We don’t know that and of course there’s new referrals coming in all the time,” Katz mentioned.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory illness that primarily assaults the joints. Katz says if it is not handled promptly, it could trigger everlasting joint injury, incapacity, and improve the danger of coronary heart illness.

“So getting treatment quickly is really important and is life-altering,” he mentioned. 

Katz additionally says it is not the type of factor that may be handled over the telephone or by video name.

“Rheumatology really relies on doing a physical exam. It’s very hard to assess if you have joint swelling over the phone, or on Zoom. You do need to see these folks in person.”

‘Not supreme,’ however higher than flying to Edmonton

According to Maguire, spokesperson for the N.W.T. well being authority, cash can be a problem.

“If there were to be discussions with Alberta about a more cohesive program that provides the continuity and coordination of service and providers that we require, we would need to seek additional funding to support this level of service,” he wrote.

“In addition to an agreement with Alberta about the provision of specialist providers, a coordinated program would also require a suite of on-site resources that would need to be established if we were to be able to deliver this service in the N.W.T. on an ongoing basis.”

Katz agrees that it is “not ideal” for sufferers when there are completely different rheumatologists who come and go, however he argues that it is smart in the long run to develop an area program.

He thinks it will be higher for sufferers — some coping with a variety of ache and discomfort — to keep away from common journey to Edmonton. He additionally believes it will be lots cheaper for the N.W.T. authorities. 

“So not great for the patient, but I think the cost is significantly more as opposed to some of us coming up to Northwest Territories and providing that care there,” Katz mentioned.