The frustration of having orthopaedic surgery referrals placed on hold arose again Tuesday in the legislature.

“(Monday), the minister of Health was asked about the latest round of cuts in services in our health care system,” said Opposition Leader Currie Dixon.

“In regard to the orthopaedic surgery program, the minister said that these services ‘… have been expanded at Whitehorse General Hospital for the purposes of providing Yukoners with services closer to home, for providing Yukoners with services here in the territory so they don’t have to travel Outside for these important procedures.’

“That is exactly the opposite of what her government is doing,” Dixon added.

“As a direct result of the Liberals’ decision to not provide sufficient resources, the orthopaedic program is no longer accepting referrals, and all non-urgent and semi-urgent consultation requests are being sent out of the Yukon. How can the minister continue to be so out of touch with what is happening in our health care system?”

Minister Tracy-Anne-McPhee responded, “There have been no cuts with respect to funding that would affect the orthopaedic surgeon program.”

Staff are trying to hire a third orthopaedic surgeon for the territory, she added.

“The Yukon hospitals have met and exceeded the service levels agreed to in the memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding states that 100 total joint procedures in 2023-24 would be performed — to 107,” McPhee said.

“Total joint procedures were completed — 55 total knee replacements and 42 total hip replacements. The memorandum of understanding also states that 480 total surgical procedures completed — of all types — would be the expectation. In 2023-24, 568 procedures were done.”

Dixon retorted, “What has been cut is the level of service that Yukoners can expect from this program.”

As proof, he cited the letter from the two orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Scott Westburg and Dr. Adam McIntyre, in which they advised their colleagues they are not accepting referrals for orthopaedic surgeries until further notice.

Dixon then asked, “How can the minister justify her comments (Monday) claiming that they are expanding orthopaedic surgery when we are hearing the exact opposite from the Yukon doctors who are running the program?”

McPhee said the government is aware of the letter and the rising demand, which is related to more emergency orthopaedic surgeries.

“Total joint replacement wait times are unacceptable to all of us, and we are working to resolve (them),” she said.

Dixon then cited the higher travel costs for Yukoners having to seek orthopaedic services Outside.

“Has the minister determined what impact this service cut will have on the medical travel budget, as so many Yukoners will now have to go Outside for these services, and how much will wait times increase as a result?”

McPhee responded, “I am certainly aware of the frustration expressed by Dr. Westberg and Dr. McIntyre, our two resident orthopaedic surgeons.

“ ... It is not a matter of just having surgeons available and having nurses available,” she said.

“Up to 11 services are required to operate every operating room when a surgery occurs. There is a wide variety of skills necessary.” Anesthesiologists and nursing staff are essential, for instance.

Premier Ranj Pillai later told reporters that orthopaedic surgery is not a new undertaking in the medical field.

“The previous (Yukon Party) government that’s criticizing us right now could have had a chance to make sure that we had the services and they didn’t.”

He noted his government brought in orthopaedic services in 2017.

“We now have more complex patients coming in our doors. We’ve got an aging population,” he noted.

“These are all the reasons that health care is more expensive and challenging, because we have more people to serve. And when you look at population growth by percentage, we’ve been leading the country.”

Officials must reassess the MOU between the orthopaedic doctors and the hospital, and its funding levels, he indicated.

They will examine factors like what the hospital can sustain, capacity required to deliver services, hiring another orthopaedic surgeon, and of course, the costs involved.

Funding is determined through conversations with Yukon Hospital Corp. CEO Jason Bilsky, he noted.

“We received a number; that’s the number that’s being debated downstairs as we go through the means this year.”

Pillai also acknowledged the efforts of the orthopaedic surgeons.

“I thank the doctors that are there for the unbelievable work they do. And as Yukoners, we’re extremely lucky to have the availability of their expertise ....”

The pending Yukon Health Authority – an umbrella organization overseeing health care in the territory – is an important piece going forward, he added. Enabling legislation was tabled last month.

“We’re going to make sure that we listen to Yukoners, which is why we’re looking at a health authority,” the premier said.

“That’s going to be an important transition for our health care system.”

The Yukon is not alone in its health care challenges in Canada, he pointed out.

As for enriching funding for Outside travel for orthopaedic surgery, Pillai noted, “We’ve doubled the funds that individuals get when it goes when it comes to travel.

“It’s a real challenge, especially for us when you think about British Columbia as a key destination. The cost for hotels and the travel can be substantial.”

Officials are reviewing the potential impacts of more trips Outside, he said.

Pillai pointed out that orthopaedic surgeries are continuing.

“People are still getting these procedures .... health care is the top of our list when it comes to our priorities, and we think that’s the most important thing to be investing in.”