Health Budget Improves Services to Yukoners
For Release #05-122
Thursday, May 5, 2005
WHITEHORSE -- Health and Social Services Minister Peter Jenkins today announced several highlights from the Yukon government's 2005-06 budget.
"Our government is committed to providing health services that Yukoners need, where they need them, where it is feasible to do so," Jenkins said.
The budget includes funding of almost a quarter million dollars for the purchase of two new ambulances. Whitehorse General Hospital will also receive $660,000 for new equipment. Overall, funding to the hospital is up to $26 million, and has increased by $5 million from three years ago. The additions to health programming are possible because of the 2002 Health Accord signed by the three northern territories which injected a total of $20 Million into the Yukon over three years. Pharmacare and chronic disease programs received $6 million, $1.1 million supported specialized medical services including internal medicine and cardiac testing, replacement knee surgery, increased orthopedic visits, increased ear, nose and throat specialist visits which decreased wait times for these services.
In addition, the Child Development Centre received $400,000 to assist with the assessment and support for children with developmental delays, and its Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnostic team. The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society of Yukon also received $300,000 to provide outreach support to families with FASD children. An additional $600,000 was directed to support families with autististic children and $900,000 provided for the hiring of additional family support workers to support the department's five-step FASD Plan.
The remaining funds were used to cover the increased costs for out of territory hospital and physician services and other cost pressures related to out of territory hospital and physician services.
"We directed this money where it will create the most benefit to the most people," said Jenkins. Another highlight of this year's budget is $1.9 million from the federal government's primary health care transition fund (PHCTF) that will be used support coordination and integration within the health care system and to increase health promotion, disease and injury prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Funds under PHCTF will continue to support healthy living initiatives including healthy eating, active living; provision of health information to the general public; and support for information technology systems. Projects to address the important health issues of addictions, chronic disease and palliative care are also under development. Jenkins acknowledged the physician shortage across Canada and added the department is continuing to work with the YMA to find solutions for individuals without a family physician.
"Health care remains one of the top priorities of this government." Jenkins said. "We want to meet the challenges head on in a manner that gives us the best, most effective services and supports possible."
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