The Government of Yukon has made significant progress to address the Yukon’s health human resource challenges since the release of the Yukon’s Health Human Resources Strategy in December 2023.
Actions and accomplishments thus far include:
- Providing an additional $120,000 to support the Yukon Medical Association to enhance its physician recruitment program and $20,000 to hire a Medical Advisor to support developing a medical residency program.
- Signing a four-year funding agreement with the Government of Canada through the Foreign Credential Recognition Project to support the integration of internationally educated health professionals in the Yukon.
- Engaging through anonymous surveys and in-person focus groups with health and social professionals from the Government of Yukon, Yukon Hospital Corporation and Kwanlin Dün First Nation and physicians through the Yukon Medical Council, to gain insights into lived experience and ideas to support the development of initiatives to retain and recruit health professionals in the Yukon.
- Participation in career fairs across Canada to promote health and social services positions in the Yukon.
- Since January 2023, the Department of Health and Social Services has hired a total of 198 nursing positions including 145 Registered Nurses and 53 Licenced Practical Nurses.
As of February 23, 2024, the Community Nursing vacancy rate dropped to approximately 15 per cent for Primary Health Care Nurses. This is a significant improvement from the 47 per cent vacancy rate for Primary Health Care Nurses on July 15, 2022, and the 39 per cent vacancy rate for Primary Health Care Nurses on December 6, 2022.
The Government of Yukon will aim to share the next progress update in April 2024.
The health and wellbeing of Yukoners is improved by a strong and thriving territory. The progress made on recruiting and retaining nurses and health care professionals will strengthen our health and social service systems as we continue to fill crucial health care roles. I look forward to sharing more Health Human Resource Strategy achievements, as we continue to retain, recruit and plan for health care professions to come live and work in our beautiful territory.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
In response to the global shortage of health care workers and the Yukon’s health human resource challenges, the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation helped form a Health Human Resources Steering Committee in July 2023.
In December 2023, the Government of Yukon, Yukon Hospital Corporation and health partners released a new Health Human Resources Strategy to better meet Yukoners' needs.
The Yukon’s Human Resources Strategy outlined 25 actions to expand the Yukon’s existing health workforce which includes physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, traditional healers, social services and support staff.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
Zach Burke
Health and Social Services
867-334-7986
Zachary.Burke@yukon.ca