A Ross River father-to-be is expressing his frustration about the month-long loss of most of the village’s medical clinic services.

On July 26, via Facebook, the Department of Health and Social Services announced the closure of the Ross River clinic until Aug. 28.

There is no nurse available during that time.

The Ross River closure is the fifth closure and/or service reduction of six so far this year, as the Yukon battles serious staffing shortages.

Matthew Profeit, a Ross River resident and member of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun, said it feels like Yukoners’ needs aren’t being met – and that his voice isn’t being heard.

“It feels like we’re at the lower end of the spectrum. It just feels like they’ve given up on us,” he told the Star this week.

Profeit and his pregnant girlfriend rely on the Ross River clinic for prenatal checkups and blood work.

He said he has lived in Ross River since October 2022 and has done well for himself in addiction recovery after attending a sober house in Nanaimo, B.C.

“We go to Whitehorse sometimes, but it’s not so easy for us. It’s our first time going to be parents and I’ve tried to talk to the MLAs, and they blame Tracy (Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee), and I’ve been trying to talk to Tracy and I’m getting nowhere and you know, nothing happens,” Profeit said.

“And in an emergency, we’re told that paramedics are going to help us but it’s as simple as we can’t even listen to our baby’s heartbeat now because there’s no nurses here.”

Cabinet communications staff told the Star Wednesday that McPhee’s office has spoken to Profeit numerous times over the last week and continues to communicate with him on a daily basis in regard to his concerns.

The emailed response reads, “A doctor continues to visit Ross River for scheduled clinics at the beginning of August as well as at the end of the month.

“EMS are expanding their support in Ross River and will continue to place staff as they become available. If you have an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency health issues, call 811.

“Our top priority is to ensure that all Yukon residents continue to receive necessary care.

“We are hiring additional nurse practitioners to enhance access to primary health care in the communities and specialized clinics,” said the email.

Profeit said his girlfriend has bloodwork done a few times a month. Now, they have to go into Faro for medical care, which is an hour’s drive away, and inconvenient.

He said getting treatment for himself such as blood work in relation to his mental health isn’t an option anymore.

“There’s also a lot of elderly people in the community too, and there’s no nurses here for an entire month,” he continued.

Cabinet communications staff noted the Yukon is impacted by the health human resource shortage just like the rest of Canada and the world.

“The Yukon government knows the challenges that this presents and is working to mitigate impacts on Yukoners as best we can,” the statement said.

“Emergency Medical Services have been expanded across the Yukon to ensure additional coverage and to minimize the impact of service reductions on our residents.

“Recruiting and retaining health care providers like doctors and nurses is a priority for us. The health and well-being of our workforce is also a priority.

“Reducing services at health centres during staff shortages is one way we are preventing burn-out among nurses in communities,” continued the email.

In the fall of 2022, the statement added, community nursing experienced a 47-per-cent vacancy rate amongst primary health care nurses.

“Since then, we have implemented several measures to address this, leading to an improvement in the vacancy rate, which is currently at 32.9 per cent.

“We continue to work to reduce this percentage even further through recruitment and retention initiatives.”

Profeit said he has come a long way, and is looking forward to being a father for the first time.

“I do things differently in life. I’ve come a long way, I’m looking forward. I’m gonna be a father for the first time and I’ve called this place home since October,” he noted.

“It’s a really good place and we’ve gone through a lot lately with other stuff too, but I’m gonna keep phoning these MLAs and gonna eventually try and see why I can’t talk to Tracy-Anne McPhee myself.”

He said he’s spoken to McPhee’s assistant many times, and has been told the minister doesn’t have time to have a direct conversation with him.

“I’m one of the people really affected by this, and I don’t know if she just doesn’t want to hear from me,” he said.

The department’s Facebook post said patients can call 969-4444 Mondays through Fridays to make appointments and arrange for medical travel papers.

“A doctor will continue to visit the community for scheduled clinics at the beginning of August as well as the last of the month,” reads the post.

It also said EMS are “expanding their support in Ross River” and will continue to place staff as they become available.

The post said if Yukoners experience an emergency, they should call 911. For non-emergency health issues, they should call 811.

Lastly, a nurse will be in the village on Aug. 29 and full services will resume Aug. 31.

Profeit said if service reductions were to happen again, he would like to not have a closure for a month, or be given more of a heads-up about the situation.

He also said he would like to see more support for nurses in the Yukon.

“This really shouldn’t be happening,” he said.

“We’re really in a remote location in the Yukon and sure, they have paramedics and stuff, but what if someone needs to see a nurse? Like, that option isn’t going to be met? It’s really not fair to us.

“And you know, I’m not trying to be a troublemaker, but I feel like all my concerns are valid.”

Profeit said residents in Ross River matter, and he just wants his voice to be heard.

“You’re not only affecting me and my partner, who’s pregnant; you’re affecting the elders in the community.

“And I just hope nothing happens, and I’d just like the MLAs and Tracy-Anne McPhee to step up because this isn’t OK, what’s going on.”