Health Canada provides the Territorial Health Investment Fund (THIF). The THIF is available to the 3 territories until March 31, 2021.
In Yukon, this funding flows into 2 streams:
- innovation; and
- medical travel.
Innovation of health and social services should:
- strengthen services;
- increase access; and
- improve the quality.
- We will use innovative health human resources approaches and technical infrastructure.
The medical travel funding will offset eligible medical travel.
For fiscal year 2019—20 funding are:
- innovation stream, $6,400,000; and
- medical travel stream $2,100,000.
The Program Support Branch of the Department of Health and Social Services manages THIF.
To read the THIF Performance Report click here.
The Program Support Branch of the Department of Health and Social Services manages THIF.
There are 4 initiatives identified under the innovation stream.
- Strengthening service through "training and capacity building".
- Improving front-line care services through "collaborative care delivery models".
- Increasing access through the use of "technology".
- Improving quality through "data collection, performance monitoring" and evidence-informed decision-making.
Training and capacity building
The goal of this initiative is to develop targeted skills within the department. This will:
- drive transformative change;
- ensure service providers can deliver appropriate services; and
- improve the wellness of Yukoners.
The department has developed a competency-based training plan. It will:
- expand the knowledge and increase the skills of health providers; and improve the abilities of system leaders to support and initiate system transformation.
Collaborative care delivery models
These models contribute to the health and wellness of people who access services. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that Yukoners are able to access a holistic approach to care:
- in the right place;
- at the right time;
- by the right provider.
This includes the continued financial support of land-based programming offered through First Nations partners.
A large-scale review of the health and social service system is currently underway as part of this initiative. The review aims to:
- identify deliverables to enhance the integration of services;
- improve service delivery;
- improve client and patient satisfaction; and
- deliver cost efficiencies.
Access and technology
The goal of this initiative is to respond to the unique needs of Yukon communities.
Through the use of technology, we will increasing the availability and accessibility of:
- mental health services;
- care for chronic conditions; and
- other health and social supports.
We will enhance Telehealth technology and remote healthcare delivery. This way, Yukoners can access services no matter where they live in the territory.
Data collection and performance monitoring
Use of this type of reporting contributes to evidence-informed decisions. These decisions would impact the health and wellness for Yukoners.
Relevant health care and social service information will be:
- collect;
- analyse;
- link; and
- report on.
This will inform health and social services:
- planning;
- delivery; and
- evaluation of quality.
Medical travel is a necessity for Yukon residents. It allows Yukoners to access medical services that are not available in their community or the territory. The Medical Travel funding stream offsets a part of eligible medical transportation costs.
Examples of medical travel services benefits provided by the government may include:
- ground and air transportation;
- emergency and non-emergency medical appointments;
- accommodation; and
- meals.
If you have questions about the Territorial Health Investment Fund (THIF) email thif@gov.yk.ca.