Two long-term care beds that the Yukon government previously announced for Watson Lake — then put “on hold” — will be taken off hold, according to the territorial health minister.
Health Minister Tracy-Anne clarified in the legislature on April 17 that the health department will be pursuing the beds in Watson Lake.
“We hope that the community of Watson Lake will support such an option. We will continue with the work being done to renovate some hospital rooms that have been identified for the purposes of this project and pilot and for the purposes of making those spaces comfortable for Yukoners who may need to stay there,” she said.
READ MORE: Previously announced long-term care beds for Watson Lake ‘on hold’: minister
“We hope that we will be able to pursue hiring the staff who will be necessary, which was one of the barriers last year when this was attempted, to have the staff necessary to provide the service through a long-term care pilot project in Watson Lake.”
Dr. Lindsay Campbell, a physician in the community, was one of the advocates calling for the two long-term care beds that have been put on hold to be immediately taken off hold so that residents aren’t stuck moving away, living at risk or dying at home due to a lack of options in the community.
Cliff Kostiuck dreaded seeing his elderly parents torn hundreds of kilometres apart due to a lack of long-term care options in Watson Lake.
READ MORE: ‘Live at risk or die at home’: Watson Lake doctor demands long-term care beds
McPhee said she looks forward to a long-term care pilot project becoming a reality in Watson Lake.
“Let me be clear for Yukoners. Our Department of Health and Social Services is working with the Yukon Hospital Corporation together to explore the possibility of proceeding with two long-term care rooms that would be at the Watson Lake Community Hospital. This will provide a different level of service than is currently available to Watson Lake individuals,” she said.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com