WHITEHORSE – Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart and Yukon Hospital Corporation Board Chair Craig Tuton announced new funding for the hospital to increase the number of knee replacement surgeries currently performed at Whitehorse General Hospital (WGH).
“Provided through the Patient Wait Times Trust Initiative, this money means we can support the hospital in doubling the number of knee surgeries performed in Yukon,” Hart said. “That means going from 12 to 24 patients, and reducing the current wait time.”
The new funds now increase the number of surgeries performed by visiting doctors. The funds will also increase the rehabilitation services required by patients after their surgery and will allow for the development of a joint replacement teaching booklet for patients.
“WGH has been working very hard to provide programming that will keep Yukoners in the territory for treatment and recovery,” Tuton said. “We know how important family and familiar surroundings are to a patient’s recovery, and being able to provide this service locally is a great benefit to both the community and the hospital.”
Whitehorse General Hospital began the knee replacement surgery program as a pilot project in 2004 with an orthopedic surgeon from Vancouver. In the first year, six surgeries were done.
The Patient Wait Time Trust is providing the hospital with $194,000 per year for the knee replacement project.
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| Contact: | |
| Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications 867-633-7961 matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca |
Pat Living Health & Social Services, Communications 867-667-3673 patricia.living@gov.yk.ca |
| Val Pike Whitehorse General Hospital, Community Liaison 867-393-8784 val.pike@wgh.yk.ca |