The reallocations of beds at the Thomson Centre and Whistle Bend Place in Whitehorse have been completed, it was announced last Thursday.

Working together, the territorial government and the Yukon Hospital Corp. have increased the number of beds available in the health care system, with 12 new long-term care rooms at Whistle Bend Place and five new hospital beds available at the Thomson Centre for acute care patients.

Some hospice clients and staff at Whistle Bend Place were relocated, and some long-term care residents and staff from Thomson Centre were transferred to Whistle Bend Place.

“These moves opened the necessary space at Thomson Centre to allow for the increase in acute care beds for hospital patients,” the government and corporation said in a joint statement.

Families of some of the patients involved have been critical about the moves and the thoroughness of the consultations conducted beforehand.

“Throughout the transition, the safety and quality of care for all residents remained the highest priority,” said the government’s and corporation’s statement. 

“Ongoing communication with residents, their families and staff was maintained to ensure a smooth process and support for those affected by the changes.”

To ensure the necessary staff were in place for the changes, hiring for continuing care staff has filled some positions, and recruitment continues. Long-term care nursing staff were redeployed from Thomson Centre to Whistle Bend Place by July 16. The hospital corporation successfully filled all staffing positions, including nurses, in time for the first patient day at Thomson Centre on July 29.

“Addressing the growing needs of our territory to provide high-quality, accessible care for Yukoners is a key focus for our government,” said Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee. 

“Expanding our long-term and acute care capacity is an important step to relieve pressures and enhance our overall health care system. This initiative highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care for all Yukoners,” the minister said.

A $6.3-million investment for the 2024–25 fiscal year made the bed capacity expansion possible.

Pamela Hine, the hospital corporation’s new board of trustees chair, noted Whitehorse General Hospital “has been at or beyond capacity most days, and demand for acute care only continues to grow. 

“Relieving these pressures and ensuring timely and quality care is one of the shared goals of the Government of Yukon and Yukon Hospital Corporation,” Hine said.

“Increasing bed capacity is a vitally important step towards maintaining our ability to deliver the very best care. Adding beds helps us avoid some interruptions to other hospital services that limited space and capacity can create,” she added. 

“We join the minister in thanking our teams and partners for advancing this work and their ongoing dedication to the health and well-being of Yukoners.”