Photo by Whitehorse Star
Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee
Support for those with chronic conditions discussed
With health care at the top of many people’s minds, Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee recently talked up her government’s effort to support Yukoners with chronic conditions.
With health care at the top of many people’s minds, Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee recently talked up her government’s effort to support Yukoners with chronic conditions.
“The Government of Yukon’s chronic health conditions support program provides client-centred programming to help Yukoners with chronic health conditions live well and plan for the future,” she told the legislature in a ministerial statement before the spring sitting ended last week.
All programs are free and available by doctor or self-referral, she noted. Clients can participate as individuals or in group activities.
The services cover such conditions as diabetes, cardiac disorders and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The varied programming includes nurse educator support, virtual and in-person exercise services, and virtual health monitoring.
The chronic conditions support program is about a healthier tomorrow, focusing on improving Yukoners’ quality of life, McPhee said.
“To do this, they offer a mix of virtual and in-person services. The program has just moved into a new physical location in NVD Place.
“This new space is a permanent home for the program, after operating for too many years in various locations.”
It boasts four clinic rooms, a gym, a group education space with video-conferencing capabilities, and other technologies.
“The space provides staff with the room and the amenities they need to do their important work effectively and helps clients to feel supported and comfortable,” McPhee said.
Brad Cathers of the Yukon Party offered some criticisms of McPhee’s statement, saying the minister omitted important facts.
“We understand that this space was actually ready last year for the chronic conditions support program, but their move-in was delayed,” he told the house.
“Our understanding is that, because of mold discovered in their facility, the government moved the Child Development Centre into this building, delaying plans to move chronic conditions support into there,” Cathers said.
“Now that chronic conditions support has finally moved in, the government has moved the Child Development Centre from this space to make room, and the CDC is now located in temporary locations in several spots throughout the city, and the government still has not announced what their plans are for helping them and when they will stop being shuffled around to temporary office space.”
The situation raises questions about the future of the Child Development Centre, Cathers said.
NDP Leader Kate White added, “We understand that the space at NVD Place was always intended for the chronic conditions program, but when the Child Development Centre needed to find a new home fast, the chronic conditions program was put off to the side and made to wait.
“So, we’re relieved to learn that this important program has finally moved into its permanent home,” White said.
Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (16)
Up 2 Down 1
Groucho d'North on May 7, 2022 at 10:25 am
@Jake
As a representative character from a well known book, I believe Napoleon from Animal Farm would be a more accurate representation:
“No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?”
Up 9 Down 2
Jake on May 4, 2022 at 6:38 pm
For a comprehensive blueprint for the problem and the solution, look no further than ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ann Rand.
The photo included with this story should be the hard-cover photo for the next printing.
(Anybody else notice how healthy the Minister is looking these days? Sort of a lead by example sort of model.)
Up 13 Down 3
Mitch Holder on May 4, 2022 at 4:01 pm
2 Anie - you likely have the right of it and I say so without insult to Wilf in a territory where half of YTG is somebodies high school dropout cousin who just knew the right people.
Up 12 Down 4
Mitch Holder on May 4, 2022 at 3:27 pm
Enduring an unelected and illegal government is a chronic condition I think many would go well beyond your expectations to end.
Up 20 Down 0
yukonerforlife on May 4, 2022 at 2:06 pm
i do have a chronic condition and a family doctor. Called May 03rd to make an in-person-appointment, the next available one is June 13th. That is one day less than 6 weeks! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have a family doctor, but it seems they are taking on too many patients and having a family doctor doesn't help if you need one now or tomorrow, ER it is for all of us i guess. Something needs to happen, this is not okay.
Up 5 Down 3
Anders W. on May 4, 2022 at 12:28 pm
Brad why did you let that building for Chronic Care go moldy under your watch? Why were routine maintenance checks not performed bi-annually as what would've been done by most administrations?
Up 12 Down 0
Anie on May 3, 2022 at 3:43 pm
So Wilf Carter, are you telling us that the premier offered you a job while you and he were attending a fundraiser? Because you both are from NS? Have I got that right?
Up 2 Down 3
Mitch Holder on May 3, 2022 at 3:19 pm
Given that over 1000 people will never have a family doctor in the territory, that would be everyone. When can we expect results then?
Up 29 Down 8
Concerned parent on May 3, 2022 at 11:20 am
McPhee will forever be remembered for not telling parents about a pedophile at Hidden Valley.
The rest of the Liberal Ministers will forever be remembered for helping her cover it up.
Up 3 Down 9
Mitch Holder on May 3, 2022 at 10:39 am
Seems like an appropriate place to ask, what the hell is open for Mother's Day?
Up 22 Down 6
Juniper Jackson on May 2, 2022 at 10:16 pm
The Government of Yukon’s chronic health conditions support program provides client-centred programming to help Yukoners with chronic health conditions live well and plan for the future,” she told the legislature in a ministerial statement before the spring sitting ended last week." McPhee (and the rest of the Liberal cartel) is absolutely full of **it. I am one of those seniors whose life saving meds didn't make it to the formulary.. I live on line of credit, and credit cards to pay for those meds. They are covered everywhere in Canada..but not here.. Maybe tell Terry Coventry how much you care about health? oh..too late, he's dead..https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/terry-coventry-hemodialysis-yukon-dead-1.5414637.. I'll call this one..Frank.. no last name..told him to go live in BC where they cover your meds, or stay here and die. Don't peddle me any of your self righteous crap. Actions always speak louder than words, and the voters are on to your sanctimonious BS.
Up 22 Down 2
Lori on May 2, 2022 at 9:12 pm
Something that is Very important to bring to light.
The Yukon Government has Not updated the Chronic Disease Drug list in well over 20 years. With all the newer drugs now available that will provide better Health Care, have not been looked at in more than 20 years, are more expensive, and are not covered. This includes anti-depressive, pain management, thyroid, and probably heart, blood pressure and diabetes.
When a person with a Chronic Condition can't afford their melds, they can't take them. Rehab is wonderful for those that can benefit, but so many of conditions can be helped with medications but the costs are so high.
I have tooting that horn for years, even when we had a Pharmacist leading the Government.
So don't take too much darn credit, please.
Up 11 Down 2
Resident on May 2, 2022 at 5:21 pm
The Chronic Disease Program also covers cancer drugs that are not covered by private insurance or under regular health care. It covered $12000 worth of injections for a friend that allowed them to start cancer treatment in weeks instead of suffering for months. While I'm sure there are illnesses and drugs that should be included, the program isn't a joke that only covers OTC pills.
Up 2 Down 16
Wilf Carter on May 2, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Tracy when I was in a difficult situation all you did was take me and many others down financially - there was 376 people in Yukon government. When was asked by Jenny who offered me a job at a liberal function you could not look at me. Same as Sandy Silver who offered me a job in cabinet. You, me, Sandy and Ranj are all NS'ers
Up 31 Down 11
Liberal Death Cult Swings into a Long Orwellian Darkness… on May 2, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Ahh… Yes… This is the sound of Liberals helping: Have you heard about MAID? Just so you know, you may not be eligible under your diabetes diagnosis but comorbid depression, ADHD… You’re in! Absolutely, we would fund proper treatment, medication, and provide EAP benefits for more than 7 sessions…
Oh sorry, you used 2 sessions already; one for the intake and the one you called about legal services. Now you have 5 sessions… We take your mental health seriously though, just ask us, we’ll tell you. Just kidding, LOL! Psych… Can I refer you to the MAID program?
There’s really no point in pursuing social Justice concerns anyway because you will own nothing and be happy, forget the inclusion delusion, just consider suicide as an alternative…
Up 31 Down 10
John on May 2, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Don't be too quick to pat yourself on the back. There are still many life saving drugs (and not necessarily the super expensive ones either) that are not affordable to patients, especially seniors with chronic diseases that you mentioned. Oh, but wait, aspirin is covered 100%. Wow, aspirin who would have thought! The others, well you will just have to dig into your own pocket to pay for them, even if you are not able to afford them. No explanation, except that they didn't make the "list".