Information for Locums, Learners and New Recruits
|
Welcome to our multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. Together, we provide a full spectrum family medicine service, including low-risk obstetrics (led by our Registered Midwives) and emergency care. We are regularly joined by visiting specialists who provide our communities with access to expertise closer to home.
Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay (Haida Gwaii Hospital) serves a population of about 2500 residing in the communities of Daajing Giids, HlGaagilda (Skidegate), K’il Kun (Sandspit) and Tll.aal (Tlell). Our facility is situated on the ancestral territory of the Haida Nation, on beautiful Xaayda Gwaay (Haida Gwaii).
It is administered by the Northern Health Authority. |
Before you arrive...
|
In preparation for working with our healthcare team, we strongly encourage all to VIEW THIS VIDEO developed by the North Coast Aboriginal Health Improvement Committee with financial support from Northern Health.
|
photo by Jason Shafto
|
"The Haida Nation is the rightful heir to Haida Gwaii. Haida citizens carry the inherent right to govern and steward our homeland. All people in Haida Territories hold a responsibility to protect this place for future generations. In return for your respectful actions, we will welcome you as guests to experience our Air, Ocean, Land and People."
|
Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay (Haida Gwaii Hospital)
Our 16-bed hospital is comprised of 8 acute care beds and 8 long term care beds. The medical clinic, physiotherapy department, pharmacy and laboratory are on the lower level. The ER, Xray department, acute and long-term in-patient wards are on the second level. We use MOIS as our EMR.
Local birthing is available for carefully screened low-risk patients. Deliveries are usually managed by our midwives, with physician back-up as required. See Perinatal Services link below for more information, and check out the Pathway to Perinatal Care on Haida Gwaii for all pregnancy related services.
The Emergency Room is covered by physicians in 24-hour shifts (8am to 8am, 1 in 4 call).
We do not have ultrasound or CT scan services, but most of our physicians are trained in point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS), and there are portable ultrasound units available both in the clinic and the ER.
Local birthing is available for carefully screened low-risk patients. Deliveries are usually managed by our midwives, with physician back-up as required. See Perinatal Services link below for more information, and check out the Pathway to Perinatal Care on Haida Gwaii for all pregnancy related services.
The Emergency Room is covered by physicians in 24-hour shifts (8am to 8am, 1 in 4 call).
We do not have ultrasound or CT scan services, but most of our physicians are trained in point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS), and there are portable ultrasound units available both in the clinic and the ER.
Community Outreach Clinics
Each of the four Family Medicine practices does a monthly outreach clinic in the communities of HlGaagilda (Skidegate) and K’il Kun (Sandspit).
Skidegate Clinic is held at the Skidegate Health Centre, which is based at Xaaynangaa Naay (House of Life), run by XaaydaGa Dlaang Society (Haida Wellness Society). It is located in HlGaagilda (Skidegate), about a 10-minute drive from the hospital. Currently, the doctor’s clinic is on Thursdays, from 10:30 to 17:00, with each of the physician practices doing an outreach clinic every four weeks.
Sandspit Clinic is staffed by a community nurse from Monday to Friday. It is located in K’il Kun (Sandspit) within the elementary school building, and serves a population of about 250.
It is accessible by a 20-minute ferry which can be boarded from Skidegate Landing (~10 min drive from our hospital) and docks at Alliford Bay, on Moresby Island (~12 minute drive from Alliford Bay to the Sandspit clinic).
The doctor’s clinic operates on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 15:00. The MD will need to leave Daajing Giids by 9:15am to catch the 9:30am ferry from Skidegate Landing to Alliford Bay. On the way back, we catch either the 3:30pm or 4:30pm ferry.
It is accessible by a 20-minute ferry which can be boarded from Skidegate Landing (~10 min drive from our hospital) and docks at Alliford Bay, on Moresby Island (~12 minute drive from Alliford Bay to the Sandspit clinic).
The doctor’s clinic operates on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 15:00. The MD will need to leave Daajing Giids by 9:15am to catch the 9:30am ferry from Skidegate Landing to Alliford Bay. On the way back, we catch either the 3:30pm or 4:30pm ferry.
Continuing Professional Development
We have many learning opportunities open to all medical staff, such as weekly SIMs and educational rounds. Visit our Rural Meducation page for more details.
Getting here
NB: if you are doing a locum through Locums for Rural BC, they will help you with travel arrangements.
BY AIR
Air Canada operates several flights each week from Vancouver (YVR) to Sandspit (YZP) which is about 15km and a 20-minute ferry ride from the Haida Gwaii Hospital, in Daajing Giids. Contact Gwaii Taxi & Tours to book the airport shuttle and request to be dropped off at the hospital.
Pacific Coastal flies from Vancouver (South Terminal) to Masset which is 120km north of the Haida Gwaii Hospital. There is no commercial public transportation between Masset and Daajing Giids – you will need to catch a ride or rent a vehicle.
Budget Car Rentals have an office at the Sandspit Airport (250-637-5688) and in Daajing Giids (250-559-4641). Masset Car and Truck Rental operates at the North End.
Air Canada operates several flights each week from Vancouver (YVR) to Sandspit (YZP) which is about 15km and a 20-minute ferry ride from the Haida Gwaii Hospital, in Daajing Giids. Contact Gwaii Taxi & Tours to book the airport shuttle and request to be dropped off at the hospital.
Pacific Coastal flies from Vancouver (South Terminal) to Masset which is 120km north of the Haida Gwaii Hospital. There is no commercial public transportation between Masset and Daajing Giids – you will need to catch a ride or rent a vehicle.
Budget Car Rentals have an office at the Sandspit Airport (250-637-5688) and in Daajing Giids (250-559-4641). Masset Car and Truck Rental operates at the North End.
BY LAND & WATERS
BC Ferries serves the islands on a six-hour trip from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing which is about 10 minutes away from Daajing Giids. One can get to Prince Rupert from Vancouver area by either driving ~18 hours up through the interior of BC, through Prince George, or by driving up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy and getting a 17-hour (or more) ferry up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. Either route usually involves a sleepover enroute so one has about 3 days of travel. The ferry schedule varies seasonally – check the BC Ferries website for details and to make reservations. Be sure to make reservations as early as possible, especially during the tourist season (May to September).
BC Ferries serves the islands on a six-hour trip from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing which is about 10 minutes away from Daajing Giids. One can get to Prince Rupert from Vancouver area by either driving ~18 hours up through the interior of BC, through Prince George, or by driving up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy and getting a 17-hour (or more) ferry up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. Either route usually involves a sleepover enroute so one has about 3 days of travel. The ferry schedule varies seasonally – check the BC Ferries website for details and to make reservations. Be sure to make reservations as early as possible, especially during the tourist season (May to September).
ONCE YOU HAVE ARRIVED
Upon arrival to Daajing Giids, make your way to the Haida Gwaii Hospital where you will find info/directions/keys to your accommodation in an envelope at the nursing station. When possible, one of us will meet you there for a quick tour of the facility.
Upon arrival to Daajing Giids, make your way to the Haida Gwaii Hospital where you will find info/directions/keys to your accommodation in an envelope at the nursing station. When possible, one of us will meet you there for a quick tour of the facility.
If you are coming by ferry, especially during the summer months, make reservations as early as possible!
Accommodations
Resident and Student accommodations are provided by our site at no charge. They are located in the heart of the Daajing Giids, walking distance from the hospital. Please note that these accommodations cannot accept pets and are not ideal for learners coming with family - we will try to assist you in finding alternate accommodations which will be at your own expense. Locum accommodation costs are reimbursed by the Rural Locum Program or the physician host. Visit www.gohaidagwaii.ca for helpful suggestions of available lodging options.
Clinic scheduling and accommodation booking have to be arranged several weeks ahead.
We ask Residents and Students to please contact us with their tentative travel arrangements well ahead of time.
We ask Residents and Students to please contact us with their tentative travel arrangements well ahead of time.
"Village of Daajing Giids - East End" by Sandi Gray
"Village of Daajing Giids - West End" by Sandi Gray
Other Stuff You Should Know!
Cell Service - It's a bit patchy and Rogers/FIDO does not work here. Telus does. We have a Telus loaner cellphone that you can borrow if need be.
Restaurants – For a small town, we are spoiled: Gather, Blacktail, J&T and Sapporo are all worth a visit! The Nook is also a great little place right by the hospital where you can pick up a hot beverage and tasty treat. See map above for locations.
What to wear – Rain gear, even in July, is a good idea. Even in summer, a good fleece & warm clothing is often useful, as well as decent hiking/kayaking apparel and swimsuit. At work, casual clothes or scrubs are the norm.
Groceries – There are four options serving our community: the Skidegate COOP (near ferry terminal, heading north), City Centre Store (central Daajing Giids), Isabel Creek (organic + local foods across from Visitor Centre) and the Causeway Convenience Store (center of Dajiing Giids, open late). There is also a seasonal Saturday Market (11-2pm) near the Daajing Giids Community Hall selling tasty local produce and baked goods. Please note groceries and other household items are expensive here - considering bringing some groceries with you! Our groceries are delivered by ferry on Mondays, and some items like milk often run out by the weekend, so best to shop early in the week.
Getting around - If you did not bring/rent your own vehicle or bicycle, you can borrow one of our e-Bikes for up to 2 days at a time (free to locums and learners on a first-come, first-served basis). Please contact our admin support person Rebecca Octaviano if you would like to do so during your time with us. We also have a regular bicycle (Electra Townie) available for locums and learners to borrow during their time with us (comes with a lock and a helmet).
Restaurants – For a small town, we are spoiled: Gather, Blacktail, J&T and Sapporo are all worth a visit! The Nook is also a great little place right by the hospital where you can pick up a hot beverage and tasty treat. See map above for locations.
What to wear – Rain gear, even in July, is a good idea. Even in summer, a good fleece & warm clothing is often useful, as well as decent hiking/kayaking apparel and swimsuit. At work, casual clothes or scrubs are the norm.
Groceries – There are four options serving our community: the Skidegate COOP (near ferry terminal, heading north), City Centre Store (central Daajing Giids), Isabel Creek (organic + local foods across from Visitor Centre) and the Causeway Convenience Store (center of Dajiing Giids, open late). There is also a seasonal Saturday Market (11-2pm) near the Daajing Giids Community Hall selling tasty local produce and baked goods. Please note groceries and other household items are expensive here - considering bringing some groceries with you! Our groceries are delivered by ferry on Mondays, and some items like milk often run out by the weekend, so best to shop early in the week.
Getting around - If you did not bring/rent your own vehicle or bicycle, you can borrow one of our e-Bikes for up to 2 days at a time (free to locums and learners on a first-come, first-served basis). Please contact our admin support person Rebecca Octaviano if you would like to do so during your time with us. We also have a regular bicycle (Electra Townie) available for locums and learners to borrow during their time with us (comes with a lock and a helmet).
|
|
Recreation – The islands offer great fishing, sea kayaking, surfing (especially at North Beach, close to Masset, in late fall and winter), mountain biking, and hiking. Hiking Sleeping Beauty, beachcombing on North Beach or the west coast beaches of Rennell Sound and swimming at Yakoun Lake are some recommended activities.
Gwaii Haanas can be reached by tour boat, kayak or plane with a few days off. Tll.aal (Tlell) is a small community of artisans 40km from Daajing Giids and the Pesuta wooden shipwreck is a 5 km hike up East Beach from there. The Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay in HlGaagilda (Skidegate) is a rich resource and an excellent introduction to Haida history and culture. Check out also the programs offered by Haida Gwaii Recreation. |
