With Yukon government support, surgical services at Whitehorse General Hospital have increased

System improvements and recent optimization at Whitehorse General Hospital through the support of the Yukon government has enabled the Yukon Hospital Corporation to increase its capacity to perform surgeries, addressing a crucial need for timely and accessible healthcare in the Yukon.

Using core funding provided in Budget 2024–25 to add staff and extend surgical hours, Whitehorse General Hospital recently optimized operations to support a projected 4,400 surgeries this year alone. This is designed to shorten wait times and improve Yukoners’ ability to receive critical care in a timely fashion without needing to leave the territory.

This is part of continued year-over-year increases in the number of procedures performed in the territory.

In addition to systems improvements, the Government of Yukon has supported recruitment efforts with the addition of full-time nurses and medical device reprocessing technicians. This is a key part of the broader Health Human Resources Strategy, which aims to ensure that hospitals and health care facilities across the territory have the necessary staffing and resources to deliver high-quality care.

This investment in critical resources is enhancing the hospital’s ability to meet the rising demand for surgeries, streamline patient access to care and prioritize urgent cases more effectively. The extension of surgical hours and the increase in available health care professionals are important steps in improving patient outcomes while relieving pressure on hospital capacity.

This initiative represents ongoing actions that the Government of Yukon is taking with the Yukon Hospital Corporation to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of our health services in the territory.