The Government of Yukon is providing additional funding to ensure the Yukon Hospital Corporation can address the immediate pressures impacting surgeries and medical imaging programs in the territory.
At the direction of the Minister of Health and Social Services, additional investments are being made to ensure that Yukoners have timely access to the care and health services they require. This will ensure that imaging and surgical services will continue without disruption.
Recognizing that there is a regularly scheduled slowdown of surgical services planned for mid-December to early January, the Government of Yukon is working collaboratively with the Yukon Medical Association and the Yukon Hospital Corporation to ensure that services return to the previously anticipated levels from that point on.
Improving access to our health care system is a top priority for the Department of Health and Social Services and our partners. We continue to work together to ensure Yukoners have access to sustainable, person-centred health care. We deeply appreciate the dedication and commitment of the healthcare professionals in providing Yukoners with excellent care.
Supporting the capacity of surgical services and medical imaging is key to improving health outcomes and bettering the experiences of patients, physicians and their healthcare team members. Working together with our partners to reduce wait times and ensure staffing levels meet the demands of the system will greatly benefit the health and well-being of all involved.
With these joint efforts underway, we are strategically addressing the immediate pressures in our healthcare system, particularly in surgical services and medical imaging, while supporting our people and teams. Our aim is to reduce growth in wait times and service delays and we are working with our teams and system partners to develop plans to return to previously expected service levels. Going forward, we will need to be responsive as the environment continues to evolve.
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Imaging services, such as x-rays, CT Scans and mammograms, and surgical services such as hip and joint replacement and cataract removal will continue to be prioritized.
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People waiting for surgery or medical imaging services are encouraged to continue working with their health care provider to manage symptoms. If their physical status changes significantly, they should contact their health care provider immediately to discuss their condition. If they have a medical emergency, they should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
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The Yukon Hospital Corporation’s resources and funding support up to 3,200 surgeries per year, including planned and unplanned surgeries. At the end of the 2022–23 fiscal year, 3,841 surgeries were completed.
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A Health Human Resources Steering Committee, jointly led by the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation, has been formed to help address the Yukon’s health human resource challenges. The steering committee is actively developing a Health Human Resources Strategy to explore bold and innovative solutions to address immediate health care challenges and prepare for long-term systemic needs. The strategy will be released soon.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Kim Sheridan
Communications
867-334- 8832
kim.sheridan@yukon.ca
Jessica Apolloni
Communications, Yukon Hospitals
867-393-8698
Jessica.apolloni@yukonhospitals.ca