File Photo of The Whitehorse General Hospital / Courtesy: Yukon Hospital Corporation
WHITEHORSE, YT – Bill 38, also known as the Health Authority Act, was tabled for it’s first reading in the Yukon Legislative Assembly on Monday, March 11th.
Bill 38, sets out the legal framework for the creation of the Yukon’s first ever Health Authority, what will be known as Shäw Kwä’ą, Southern Tutchone phase that means “all is well, all is good”
Establishing a Yukon Health Authority was a key recommendation within the Yukon Government’s Putting People First report, which was itself spurred by a systematic review of the Health and Social Services system in 2019, something Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee mentioned during her ministerial statement introducing the bill
“Central to the report’s recommendations is the establishment of a health authority aimed at creating an improved, efficient, and person centered approach to health and wellness in the Yukon.”
– Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
The Yukon Government has set aside 9.4 million dollars within the new budget for the transition, and they have identified some key areas that the new Health Authority will seek to address, which includes more inclusive governance and collaboration with Yukon First Nations, a patient-centric model of equitable care, along with more accountability and clearer responsibilities for the Health Authority.
Stephen Mills, Co-Chair of the Health Transformation Advisory Committee, explains this Legislative framework is the foundation for a stronger healthcare system that will be built on over years to come.
“So we have to think about this as a process a bit like building a house where we think that this framework legislation creates the concrete foundation and now we have to start to look at we build on that foundation.” – Stephen Mills, Co-Chair of the Health Transformation Advisory Committee
Currently the Yukon is one of just two jurisdictions in Canada without a Health Authority.
