The Division of Well being and Social Companies of the Territorial is taking its first steps of the general public with regards to contemplating the choices to supply a spot to remain for the Yukoners and their authorised escorts that have to journey from the communities to Whitehorse for medical functions.
The Minister of Well being, Tracy-Anne McPhee, informed the Information By telephone, on February 12, the division has been working behind the scene to find out what are the wants for medical journeys to find out what choices ought to be explored.
That led to the request for info, or RFI, to be revealed on the Authorities Provides and Tenders web site.
McPhee mentioned that touring for medical causes could be disturbing and costly.
“We’re working to scale back the load for folks and to make folks extra snug,” he mentioned.
The division is investigating whether or not to supply lodging will indicate a brand new development or reuse current areas.
McPhee mentioned that about 10 rooms with self -sufficient comforts, comparable to loos and kitchens, would assist tackle the necessity. She instructed that the rooms ought to be secure and accessible with managed entry, and close to the Heart or the Normal Hospital of Whitehorse.
Riverdale is another choice that seems within the RFI, which signifies that the stays are normally one or two nights and barely greater than three nights. Demand is anticipated to extend because the inhabitants grows and modifications.
“Some nights may very well be greater than 10. Some nights may very well be lower than 10, however that’s what we now have landed,” McPhee mentioned.
“The target is to establish the kind of key key options that embrace current buildings or market choices and revolutionary approaches and price estimates to tell the long run growth of this feature.”
In March 2023, the MLA of Yukon unanimously voted in assist of a Yukon NDP movement that mirrored a promise of the Yukon Liberal Get together to create a well being lodging in Whitehorse for rural residents who attend medical appointments.
Yukon’s liberal get together made the promise on its 2021 territorial election marketing campaign platform. The movement can be consistent with a advice in Put folks firstThe Yukon authorities well being map.
McPhee mentioned the Yukon authorities elevated the medical journey subsidy for individuals who journey through the night time, and the idea of a medical journey or residence place so that individuals keep was a part of that advice. She argued that the Yukon authorities has elevated areas so that individuals get hold of consideration, with the opening of bilingual clinics and with out prior appointment, and added fertility and gender consideration to medical journey alternatives.
“The RFI that’s right here is only one extra step and one other approach we’re working to assist Yukoners,” McPhee mentioned.
“Put folks first Speak concerning the precedence for people who find themselves maybe low earnings or better or those that require prolonged stays exterior their group, so it could be a precedence train to find out who might use one of these items if we place them. ”
Contact Dana Haterly at Dana.Hatherly@yukon-news.com