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Government complacent about doctor shortage

Government complacent about doctor shortage Open Letter to Doug Graham, minister for Health and Social Services and Premier Darrell Pasloski: Today I visited my family doctor for the last time. Not because I'm leaving Whitehorse or the territory but beca

Open Letter to Doug Graham, minister for Health and Social Services and Premier Darrell Pasloski:

Today I visited my family doctor for the last time. Not because I’m leaving Whitehorse or the territory but because the clinic is soon closing.

As of April 19, I and my entire family will be without a family doctor. I have called the number provided at the medical clinic office, to see if there are any clinics in Whitehorse taking on new patients. First of all, one does not actually speak to a person and the recording states no clinics are taking patients.

I have registered as a doctorless patient and now want to know what you, your department and the Yukon government are doing to rectify the very critical situation facing your constituents. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue!

I have been told that when my clinic does close, approximately 2,000 people will be affected. Are we all expected to use the hospital emergency room as our medical clinic? Do we go there for routine and preventative exams? Do we go there to get prescription renewals? Wouldn’t this be a horrendous and unnecessary overload on the ER personnel?

This government appears to be complacent regarding the urgent and dire situation which many of us face. This government must take immediate action, responsibility and accountability for the extreme situation we now face! Have you not heard of succession planning?

Perhaps you would be willing to give up your family doctor (assuming you are one of the fortunate persons to have one) in order for your constituents to have one.

I look forward to your reply.

To all Yukon residents: Please, please voice your complaints and perhaps the government will take action. Numbers speak volumes.

Sue Bowers

Whitehorse