Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on the Yukon’s health system accomplishments

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:

“I am pleased to take this opportunity to provide Yukoners with an update on the great work our Health and Social Services and health care staff have accomplished this year.

“I will begin by acknowledging the challenges facing our health care system here in the Yukon – like so many across Canada, we are providing the resources needed to support our territory’s growing and aging population through the hiring of more health care workers, the upgrading and replacement of aging infrastructure and the building of state-of-the-art facilities.

“The Yukon’s population has grown by 25 per cent in the past 10 years and our health care system must respond to that reality. We are working hard to provide opportunities for more people to be able to stay in their homes and communities as they age. This means we must provide more services in communities and improve access to services in Whitehorse in order to meet the needs of Yukoners where they are.

“Though the solutions are neither fast nor simple, I want to highlight some of the most significant progress we have achieved and most importantly, I want to recognize the providers and teams in the health system who provide exceptional care to Yukoners as well as non-governmental organizations and other partners who help to improve system capacity and ensure continuity of care for all Yukoners.

“This year, we opened the Whitehorse Walk-in Clinic and the new health and wellness centre in Old Crow. Clinics like these provide primary care to Yukoners, helping us stay healthy and reducing pressures on our hospitals.

“A central part of our work is taking place through the Health Human Resources Strategy.

"Through this strategy, in partnership with the Yukon Hospital Corporation, we are building new and innovative ways to educate, recruit and retain health care workers.

“The work is paying off. Since January 2023, the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation, have processed over 300 nursing staffing actions, which include hiring new nursing staff, supporting staff mobility and promoting existing employees into more senior or permanent positions, increasing the likelihood of their long-term retention.

“Furthermore, our vacancy rate in community nursing is half of what it was in December 2022.

"This indicates significant success in filling nursing positions and is largely why each of our community health centres remained open every day this entire summer. We have had no clinic closures and only three days of service reductions across the entire Yukon to date this calendar year. That means rural Yukoners had uninterrupted access to primary health care in their communities.

“We’re also investing in the education and promotion of our existing nursing staff.

"Since the beginning of 2023, Continuing Care has supported more than 10 staff in moving from nursing home attendant positions into licensed practical nurse or registered nurse positions.

"Also, 10 other staff members are currently preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination this year. I wish them all the success in the world as they prepare for this exam.

“Our Health Human Resources Strategy is working. We are seeing our investments in health care workers pay off through lower vacancy rates, especially among the staff who care for Seniors and Elders, at home or in long-term care.

“We are also working with the Yukon Hospital Corporation and Yukon Medical Association to reduce pressures on our hospitals. Thanks to our government’s investments in health care funding, the Yukon Hospital Corporation was able to hire a cohort of internationally educated nurses to fill remaining vacancies in operating room nursing staff.

“Working with the Yukon Medical Association to improve and enhance recruitment for locum physicians has resulted in 32 additional physicians supporting the hospitalist program since January 2024. 107 locums have been booked to cover leave for physicians in Whitehorse in 2024.

“We are removing red tape and clearing regulatory hurdles for nurses to come and work in the Yukon. Starting November 3, internationally educated nurses and newly graduated registered nurses and nurse practitioners will be able to register directly to practise here, without having to go through another Canadian jurisdiction. This new approach streamlines the licensing process. I know we will attract and integrate these essential health care workers more effectively than ever before, further enhancing our health care capacity.

“Finally, thank you to all the professionals, patients and volunteers who have shown bravery and leadership by telling their stories and to those who care for us and our loved ones day and night, in health centres, long-term care homes, clinics, hospitals and ambulances. The professional and compassionate care they provide is second to none.”