The Government of Yukon, the Yukon Hospital Corporation and the territory’s current two orthopedic surgeons have signed a memorandum of understanding to add a third surgeon to the orthopedic team and further enhance musculoskeletal services for Yukon.
The additional orthopedic surgeon will help reduce wait times for elective surgeries and increase the number of surgeries conducted in the territory for patients who would otherwise have to travel out of territory for surgery. The new surgeon is expected to begin in April 2021.
Currently all hip replacements are done out of territory. The addition of a third surgeon will help reduce the wait time for in-territory knee replacements and allow for in-territory hip surgeries to begin.
Putting People First means offering more services closer to home. We believe that a third surgeon is necessary if we are to continue meeting the needs of Yukon’s growing population. The addition of a third surgeon means that not only can we increase the number of knee replacements being done in Yukon but we can also begin to offer hip replacements. It is very exciting to be able to offer these increased services to Yukoners.
Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost
Whenever possible, Yukon Hospitals seeks to expand the scope and availability of services for Yukoners. More orthopedic services and expertise means Yukoners benefit from improved access to care, fewer delays, less travel, and the ability to recover right here at home.
Chair of Yukon Hospital Corporation Brian Gillen
We look forward to welcoming a third orthopedic surgeon to Whitehorse General Hospital this year. Our newest colleague will bring further expertise to the Yukon, joining the team as we prepare to launch our local hip replacement program. The addition of a third surgeon will be a leap in our ability to further manage a broader scope of care in territory.
Dr. Scott Westberg
The addition of a third surgeon to the Yukon Orthopedic Program will allow for sustainable and continuous coverage for urgent orthopedic consultation and care, and surgical care for bone fractures and soft tissue injuries, scheduled elective surgeries and primary arthroplasty surgeries.
There are a total of 100 knee replacements planned for 2021–22, up 20 with the addition of the third surgeon.
Yukon’s first resident orthopedic surgeon started work in October 2017, the second resident surgeon began in September 2019.
Renee Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Pat Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-1531
patricia.living@yukon.ca
Matt Davidson
Communications, Yukon Hospitals
867-393-8698