Yukon NDP’s Kate White unimpressed by Liberals’ latest healthcare strategy
December 13, 2023
WHITEHORSE, YT – Yukon NDP Leader Kate White made the following statement Wednesday, Dec. 13, on the Yukon Liberals’ Health Human Resources strategy:
“I’m not impressed by the Yukon Liberals latest strategy to fix their crumbling health care system.
Yukoners are facing long waits in hospital ERs, and for surgeries and imaging appointments. The Liberals’ version of health care relies heavily on costly agency nurses from outside the territory.
It was ironic to hear from the Yukon Hospital Corporation today about healthcare funding and public accountability, when the Ernst and Young shows YHC took over $7 million they knew was for a mental wellness unit and spent it on payroll.
The Liberals’ new strategy ignores social workers and other allied professionals who work in healthcare settings. And it doesn’t show how the Liberals will respect and honour the healthcare employees they already have. Handing out retention bonuses to nurses while ignoring all other healthcare workers shows a lack of respect and understanding.
I’m happy to see the Liberals are optimistic about health care. But, we’ve heard that before, and the reality hasn’t changed on the ground. They need to prove that this strategy is different by showing results that work for people.
The Yukon still needs healthcare funding and Yukoners need to be able to trust the people who set and implement healthcare policy.
I don’t see any of that from the Yukon Liberals or the Yukon Hospital Corporation.”
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