When I pointed it out to the staff in the Medical Travel office here in the Health Centre, they told me they get this kind of snow in the spring. Yes, you heard correctly...we have a Medical Travel Department here at the Kivalliq Heath Centre based in Rankin Inlet. Tonight in fact, I'll be waiting around for one of my patients to arrive for their xray examination. They will be flying in for their xrays and then have a return flight pre-booked.
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| The Medical Travel office here at Kivalliq Health Centre, Rankin Inlet |
The medical travel office arranges flights for people requiring medical services in other communities. Since I arrived, I've had patients fly in for their xrays and then fly back home....sometimes the same day and sometimes a few days later. I have also had patients fly out to Winnipeg, sometimes with escort and sometimes without, for treatment based upon their xray findings.When in Winnipeg, accommodations are arranged at the Inuit Centre, for food and lodging.
I will be staying late tonight. The reason is that the patient is arriving after 5. They have a flight out from Baker Lake in the afternoon, but it stops in Arviat before arriving here at 1720 this afternoon. The early flight today is a direct one from Baker Lake to Rankin. That would allow me to take her films during regular hours, but it was all booked up...no seats were available. The reason, I believe, is that here in Rankin Inlet this weekend...another hockey tournament is about to begin...also sponsored in part by Calm Air.
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| The Rankin Rock have two 2 teams this time! |
Baker Lake is the other community represented. However, there are some of the smaller hamlets that do not have enough players to field a full team. The group is known as TEAM KIVALLIQ after the region of Nunavut that we are located within. They represent the communities of Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet and Repulse Bay. I'm looking forward to seeing these 8-10 year olds playing at the hockey rink this weekend... probably because my skill level might match theirs...but that may be wishful thinking.
At coffee this morning the discussion was not just about the tournament but the exciting news that there may have been approval for a new expanded arena, to be built just in behind the health centre here. Like communities everywhere, ice time is sacred. Even at -28 degrees, there is not enough of it available and this is especially true during some of the bigger tournaments we have seen during the past few weeks.
Of course, the changes that have happened since my last visit, are unbelievable, yet there is still room to improve the well-being of the residents. Currently, a survey is being circulated to try and determine need and assess what changes and recreation facilities should be considered for the future. The growth in population, especially the younger age groups, means change and diversification. Hockey is not the only sport in town...it just SEEMS like the only sport in town.
Soccer and Baseball are still activities that include many youth, but hockey tends to lead the way with both adults and kids alike. The swimming pool here was condemned a few years ago and needs to be replaced. If it happens, and there is competitive swimming against the other communities, I wouldn't bet against the team being a strong competitor....But, I just can't imagine a swim team known as the "Rankin Rock"s...That name....just wouldn't float!
