Dear Premier Pillai and Minister McPhee:
I was disturbed to read in a local paper Frank Schwertner's account about the insensitive and disrespectful way in which Thomson Centre residents and their families were notified of their relocation to Whistle Bend Place. He mentioned how familiarity of surroundings and routines impact the cognitive health of many residents. Two weeks notice doesn't provide adequate time for family to make adjustments. As well, I wonder about the impact of the move on existing staff and the preparations necessary for adjustments to the procedures within the unit.
In addition I have heard that the move of these Thomson Centre residents will impact the Wind River Hospice House, palliative care unit at Whistle Bend Place. The residents will be moved to another unit in Whistle Bend, thus causing disruption to them and their staff. It is my understanding that this unit had special equipment designed for the needs of residents near the end of life and for health professionals caring for the residents, like oxygen in rooms and special lifts for baths. I am sure that the dedicated staff will make it work no matter what.
The government is in a crisis solving mode because of the drastic shortage of beds in the hospital to meet our growing population, as well as our aging population. It speaks to what I have seen in the past as lack of long-term planning. Government has access to population and age predictions and patterns, and they should be using this information to better plan for our health care needs. Dr. Alex Kmet, president of the Yukon Medical Association has identified the need for "looking at redeveloping the capacity of our hospital system". In 1997, when the hospital was renovated, the number of beds was reduced to 55 beds. I don't know the reasons, but it made no sense and we're now seeing the results.
There is no quick solution to solving the health care issues facing all of us. I would like to see leadership to be more transparent and to have vision for healthcare planning into the next 10 to 20 years. What are the options? Are there other innovative models for community health care that we need to explore for relieving the pressure on the hospital to meet all of our health services?
I look forward to receiving a response from you, Minister McPhee and your senior management.
Sincerely,
Lillian Nakamura Maguire, Whitehorse, Yukon
