Nunavut MLAs aren't surprised by the price tag attached to bringing in temporary doctors to staff Iqaluit’s hospital.

Documents obtained by CBC News show the Government of Nunavut spent more than $11.5 million over 20 months on locums — doctors flown in on short-term contracts when the hospital is short-staffed.

Over that 20-month period, 120 different doctors worked at Qikiqtani General Hospital. One doctor's contract was for three days.

The MLAs say it's hard to retain permanent doctors and nurses these days. Meanwhile, bringing in temporary medical staff is taking up a large chunk of the Nunavut health department's budget.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott says the government has no choice and even in the south, patients often don't have a family doctor.

He believes the territory's new electronic health records system should ensure any locum doctors know their patient’s history.

“Patients’ charts are there with MRIs or any other X-rays that are there, so it should provide more information or the most accurate information to the doctors,” he said.

Joe Enook, MLA for Tununiq, said in the past there were doctors who worked in the territory for years and they should help sell Nunavut as a place to work.

“I don't think just the government trying to attract doctors will be enough,” he said. “You need people with firsthand experience to help you and tell the rest of their colleagues, the people in that profession, that Nunavut is a great community to work in.”