Yukoners can now apply to become a client at the Centre de Santé Constellation Health Centre.

The new bilingual health centre will open Nov. 7 at 102 - 4149 Fourth Ave. (the Nuvo Building) in Whitehorse.

Any Yukoner over 16 years of age with a valid Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan is eligible to apply to become a client of the clinic.

Individuals younger than 16 years of age may have a guardian apply on their behalf.

Constellation is the first primary health care clinic of its kind in the Yukon, and will serve as a model of care to build upon in the future, the Yukon government said Monday.

In addition to delivering health and wellness services in French and English, Constellation will also be another access point for primary health care services for Yukoners, including the growing francophone population. Virtual interpretation will be also available in other languages.

Clients will be able to pre-book appointments, including to receive care on the same day, provided there is an opening.

Once accepted, new clients will be assigned to the clinic, and health professionals will provide clients with primary health care services.

Clients will also be connected with additional health and wellness services as needed.

Yukoners can complete the online application form on Yukon.ca.

A printable version of the form is also available.

Yukoners can call the health centre for assistance at 393-7119. Applicants not initially accepted will be added to the waitlist and notified when space becomes available.

“Yukoners now have access to a new option for receiving primary health care services in Whitehorse,” said Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“Providing fully integrated, wrap-around primary care services in one convenient location will help Yukoners receive the care they need, reduce pressures on the Yukon’s health care system and help us meet our commitments in Putting People First.

“As health care labour shortages are being felt across the country, the upcoming opening of the Centre de Santé Constellation Health Centre is excellent news for the health and well-being of all Yukoners.”

John Streicker, the minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate, said the government is “excited to mark the opening of the bilingual Centre de Santé Constellation Health Centre.

“Many thanks to the francophone community for their collaboration to advance health delivery for Yukoners.”

Lorraine Taillefer, the president of l’Association franco-yukonnaise, said her association is “pleased with the opening of the first bilingual Centre de Santé Constellation Health Centre in the Yukon.

“Health is a priority for our growing community. We would like to thank the Yukon government for this initiative and the Partenariat communauté en santé (PCS) for its major contribution in this project for over 20 years.

“These collaborations allow us to respond to a growing demand for French-language services in the area of health.”

The government said the centre will be “acting as a catalyst to begin building team-based, integrated, primary health clinics throughout the Yukon.

“At launch, the collaborative care team will consist of nurse practitioners, a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, and a social worker. Most speak both French and English.”

All care will be provided at the clinic, with some virtual options available.

Renovations continue at the planned permanent clinic location (9010 Quartz Rd., beside the Whitehorse Health Centre).

It’s expected to open sometime in 2023.

The new collaborative care clinic is a recommendation of the Putting People First report. It was a promise in the Liberals’ campaign platform for the 2021 territorial election.

For more information or to fill in the application form, those interested can visit https://Yukon.ca/Constellation-health-centre.