Ta'an Kwäch'än Elder Betsy Jackson midway through cutting the ribbon to officially open the Whitehorse Walk-In Medical Clinic at the permanent location. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The Whitehorse Medical Walk-In Clinic has found more stable footing at the permanent location at Mah’s Point which opened the doors for patients without primary care providers at the start of this week.
Now operating out of Mah’s Point at 2145 2nd Avenue, the clinic offers services including same-day treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, referrals, and prescriptions for non-narcotic medications. The clinic doesn’t provide emergency or long-term care, instead focusing on non-urgent healthcare.
Operating hours have also expanded to 9 am to 12 pm followed by an hour break with service resuming at 1 pm to 4 pm on Monday to Friday.
Those speaking at the ribbon ceremony on Wednesday, May 1st, were Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon NDP Health Critic Annie Blake and Ta’an Kwäch’än Elder Betsy Jackson. Also in attendance were Yukon NDP Leader Kate White and Walk-In Clinic staff.
“This will contribute to enhancing more access for Yukoners to healthcare, no matter where they are, if they don’t have access to a primary care physician,” said MLA Blake. “This is one of the vital stops where they could gain that access and that’s so important because we all know how important access to physician care is for Yukoners.”
Minister McPhee, highlights that this effort comes as the healthcare sector is under intense pressure to provide care to those in need and comes as the territorial government tries to hire and retain more healthcare professionals to raise staffing numbers and offer services to more people.
“The clinic will provide a broad spectrum of essential health services and play a pivotal role in alleviating pressures, mostly at the Whitehorse General Hospital, while giving individuals opportunities that they didn’t have before now,” said McPhee.
Elder Betsy Jackson officially cut the ribbon after saying a prayer blessing the space.
