According to Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee, the Yukon government is committed to moving forward with the establishment of two long-term care beds at the Watson Lake Hospital, despite the project being put on hold late last year. McPhee stated that the government is pursuing the project and hopes for community support. The decision to pause the project last winter was made after consultations with the municipality, which initially expressed reservations that have since been clarified by the town’s mayor. Staffing issues were also cited as a concern, but the minister indicated that these factors are not currently препятствия to the project’s progress.
The minister highlighted that the long-term care beds at the Watson Lake Hospital will complement existing home care services in the community. McPhee plans to visit Watson Lake to engage with residents, discuss long-term care needs, and outline government plans to address them.
Isabel Welsh, a Watson Lake resident and advocate for long-term care, expressed relief at the government’s decision to proceed with the project. However, she questioned the need for a two-year community needs assessment, arguing that the aging population and evident need for such a facility are already apparent. Welsh emphasized that not only Watson Lake residents would benefit from expanded long-term care services but also neighboring communities with aging populations.
McPhee acknowledged the importance of understanding the specific needs of the Watson Lake community and indicated that the government is committed to working with residents to ensure the most appropriate care options are available.
