The sign outside the Yukon Health and Social Services office on Lambert St. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The Yukon Medical Association (YMA) called on the Yukon Government to establish a Rural Family Medicine Residency Program in a bid to address the healthcare workforce shortage.
The YMA passed a resolution calling for the measure during their annual general meeting held on Friday, November 1st.
In a press release announcing the resolution, the YMA argues that such a program would not only attract new physicians to the territory but would help retain existing family doctors by boosting local training opportunities.
“This program will not only increase the number of doctors in our territory but will also ensure that they receive culturally appropriate training in partnership with Yukon First Nations, leading to improved access to primary care and better health outcomes for all Yukoners,” said YMA President Dr. Derek Bryant in the release.
Yukon Government’s Cabinet Communications states that $25,000 has already been allocated to study the feasibility of the program.
On November 5th, the Yukon Government announced regulatory changes for nurses and nurse practitioners that allow them to apply directly for licenses in the Yukon without first being registered in another Canadian jurisdiction.
The Government says the move will help attract more nurses to the territory.
