Emergency Department Increases Capacity

WHITEHORSE - Effective Monday, the Emergency Department at the Whitehorse General Hospital has increased its capacity announced Minister Glenn Hart and Yukon Hospital Corporation CEO Joe MacGillivray.

"For the next three months, we have staffed our Emergency Department with an additional Physician and Registered Nurse from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday, to help deal with the surge in patients requiring emergency services," said MacGillivray.

"Between 85 to 105 patients are seen in the Emergency Department every day. This figure has been rising steadily over the past several months and will likely continue," MacGillivray reported.

The additional resources allocated to the Emergency Department have come about as a result of several factors, including a rise in Yukon population, closure of walk-in clinics in Whitehorse, and the recent departure of special licensed physicians.

"Health and Social Services is funding this creative measure to address an anticipated spike in demand," Hart said. "Until new physicians arrive in the fall, orphaned patients can come to the Emergency Department to get their needs addressed in a more timely way."

The Yukon Medical Association has established two top priorities with the Yukon Government, one is to enhance services available to deal with people with addictions, and the second is the aggressive recruitment of fully trained Family Physicians ready to deliver the full spectrum of care in the Yukon.

This enhancement of WGH operations will offer an interim solution related to the increased demand in the Emergency Department while physician recruitment occurs. There will be some physical adjustments to the existing Emergency Department to assist with the increased demand on the department.

"We will be monitoring patient volumes weekly to ensure we are able to meet the needs and to confirm these resources are well used," MacGillivrary added.

A final report summarizing the initiative will be completed in the fall.