Watson Lake mayor weighs in on long-term care options

Before the Watson Lake Hospital was designated as a hospital, the space was meant for long term care, but that never happened due to structural issues with the building. In 2022, the Yukon government said it would place 2 long term care beds in the town’s hospital. Last December, Yukon’s Health Minister claimed the town wanted the plan to be put on hold. Chris Irvin is the town’s mayor. He says he nor council ever opposed having beds or increased healthcare services, stating that that wasn’t the comment from the municipality that might have been. Misconstrued from comments throughout the community. I think the the impression that I got from the community was that the two beds that were suggested to be used at the Yukon Hospital were not sufficient. Not that we didn’t want them not, It’s just that that isn’t the solution that our community is looking for, Irvin says. Many longtime residents of Watson Lake are now seniors. He says 1/4 of the population will face a similar situation to Evelyn and Lloyd Caustic. Married 75 years, Evelyn now lives in Whitehorse because there are no long term care options in Watson Lake. Irvin says it’s simply unacceptable to split up families when they’re so vulnerable. Evan Lloyd Caustic have been. A part of our community for the entirety of their lives and great upstanding citizens that can’t stay at home. Nobody wants to be separated at this point in their life after spending that much time together and it truly is heartbreaking. Uconn’s Health Minister Tracy M McPhee says the government already funds for long term care homes in the Yukon, 3IN, Whitehorse and one in Dawson City. She also said that the government could expand long term care to other communities. Ervin says whether it’s beds or a brand new facility, anything is welcome. Chris McIntyre, CBC News, Dawson City.