Ultrasound services coming to Yukon’s community hospitals

Beginning January 2020, the Government of Yukon and Yukon Hospitals will introduce general, non-urgent ultrasound services at Dawson City and Watson Lake community hospitals.

Ultrasounds will be provided by a sonographer visiting each of the community hospitals with portable equipment for approximately one week every two months. The goal of offering general ultrasounds in community hospitals is to improve access to care for Yukoners across the territory.

The sonographer will be in Dawson City January 14, 2020 through to the 17th and in Watson Lake from February 18 to 20. Most appointments have already been booked in those communities for those dates.

Based on usage and referral trends in the territory, this service is expected to provide nearly 450 general ultrasound exams per year. The availability of general ultrasounds in community hospitals will help reduce the need for Yukoners to travel to Whitehorse, which means less disruption to their home and work life. This will be beneficial for patients, family members and the environment.

Urgent and emergent ultrasounds will continue to be completed at Whitehorse General Hospital, which has advanced equipment and specialized supports in place for patients needing these services.

We have been working hard to bring more options for comprehensive and collaborative health care to our communities and to reduce medical travel. These ultrasound services in Dawson City and Watson Lake will increase access to care in rural communities while allowing Yukoners to spend more time at home.

Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost

Bringing important services closer to Yukoners means improved access to care and less disruption for those who previously would have had to travel. This is part of our work to ensure our community hospitals continue to grow as health service hubs where our team and partners work together to meet a range of community needs.

Yukon Hospital Corporation Chair Brian Gillen

Quick facts 
  • Ultrasounds use soundwaves to create images of internal body structures. They help physicians assess a wide range of conditions in the abdomen and pelvis by examining the liver, appendix, kidneys, and bladder, in addition to obstetrical (fetus) ultrasounds. 

  • Ultrasound exams are performed by sonographers, also known as ultrasound technologists. Yukon Hospitals will work with a locum sonographer to provide this service in the community hospitals.

  • Community hospitals will offer general ultrasounds, which usually include abdominal, pelvic and some obstetrical tests.

  • Whitehorse General Hospital receives almost 9,000 ultrasound requests per year. Providing 450 ultrasounds in the community hospitals represents approximately five per cent of the total for Yukon. 

Media contact 

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca  

Clarissa Wall
Health and Social Services
867-667-8478
clarissa.wall@gov.yk.ca

Matt Davidson
Yukon Hospitals
867-393-8698
matthew.davidson@wgh.yk.ca

News release #: 
19-278