This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and Yukon Hospital Corporation.
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation are committed to providing high-quality, accessible care for all Yukoners. Working together, they recently increased the number of beds available in the Yukon’s health care system, with the addition of 12 new long-term care rooms at Whistle Bend Place and five new hospital beds available at Thomson Centre for acute care patients.
This initiative included the relocation of some hospice clients and staff within Whistle Bend Place and the transfer of some long-term care residents and staff from Thomson Centre to Whistle Bend Place. These moves opened the necessary space at Thomson Centre to allow for the increase in acute care beds for hospital patients.
Throughout the transition, the safety and quality of care for all residents remained the highest priority. Ongoing communication with residents, their families and staff was maintained to ensure a smooth process and support for those affected by the changes.
To ensure the necessary staff were in place for this expansion, hiring for Continuing Care staff has filled some positions and recruitment is ongoing. Long-term care nursing staff were redeployed from Thomson Centre to Whistle Bend Place by July 16. The Yukon Hospital Corporation successfully filled all staffing positions, including nurses, in time for the first patient day at Thomson Centre on July 29.
The ongoing efforts under the Health Human Resources Strategy have helped to address this increase in capacity and continue to support recruitment and retention efforts across Yukon’s healthcare system.
By optimizing existing spaces, the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation are addressing the growing needs of the Yukon’s health care system, enhancing long-term and acute care services.
Addressing the growing needs of our territory to provide high-quality, accessible care for Yukoners is a key focus for our government. Expanding our long term and acute care capacity is an important step to relieve pressures and enhance our overall health care system. This initiative highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care for all Yukoners. Thank you to everyone involved in making this expansion possible and for supporting patients through this successful transition.
Whitehorse General Hospital has been at or beyond capacity most days and demand for acute care only continues to grow. Relieving these pressures and ensuring timely and quality care is one of the shared goals of the Government of Yukon and Yukon Hospital Corporation. Increasing bed capacity is a vitally important step towards maintaining our ability to deliver the very best care. Adding beds helps us avoid some interruptions to other hospital services that limited space and capacity can create. We join the Minister in thanking our teams and partners for advancing this work and their ongoing dedication to the health and wellbeing of Yukoners.
-
L’ajout d’un nombre de lits dans le système de santé yukonnais a été possible grâce à un investissement de 6,3 millions de dollars à l’exercice 2024-2025.
-
Le réaménagement a exigé le déménagement de 10 chambres de soins de longue durée du Centre Thomson au Centre Whistle Bend et l’ajout de 2 chambres.
Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca
Nigel Allan
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9576
nigel.allan@yukon.ca
James Low
Communications, Yukon Hospital Corporation
867-334-9262
james.low@yukonhospitals.ca