2024 Putting People First Annual Report tracks improvements to the Yukon’s health care system

May 22, 2025

The Government of Yukon has released the 2024 Putting People First Annual Report to update the public on progress made through June 30, 2024, in carrying out the 76 recommendations for improvement to the territory’s health and social services system that came from the Putting People First Report.

This annual report highlights that in 2024, the Government of Yukon:

• Opened the Whitehorse Walk-in Clinic at Mah’s Point: As of July 31, 2024, the Walk-In Clinic has provided care to over 3,362 patients. The clinic has offered increased hours during times when the Whitehorse General Hospital has experienced increased demand and allows patients without a primary care provider to access medical care without going to the emergency room.
• Launched a land-based healing program: Led by the Council of Yukon First Nations, this program funds land-based cultural programming. There were 44 applications received for the first round of funding.
• Focused on modernizing and expanding primary care: More than 2,000 Yukoners have been connected to a Physician or Nurse Practitioner through the Find a Primary Care Provider program.
  • The vaccine program is continuously evaluated and expanded. Shingrix is now available at pharmacies free of charge for Yukoners aged 65–70. HPV9 coverage has been expanded. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is available to those at risk of contracting HIV. Fluzone high dose vaccine available to long term care residents aged 65 or older.
  • Virtual at-home care is available for users of the Chronic Disease and Disability Program, providing real-time health data to patients and their care providers.
  • Ongoing collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Services and the Yukon Medical Association to stabilize and expand primary care.
• Provided more support to Yukoners travelling for medical care: The Government of Yukon increased the medical travel subsidy to $174 per day for overnight outpatient services and $88 for same day travel and approved escorts, as of April 1, 2024. The value is now indexed to inflation and is calculated each year on April 1.
• Began work to establish the Yukon’s first Health Authority, Shäw Kwä’ą: With the passing of the Health Authority Act in the Yukon Legislative Assembly, efforts are now underway to bring the vision of Putting People First to life – creating a better, person-centred and culturally safe healthcare system that respects patients and health care professionals and ensures an ongoing role for Yukon First Nations in its governance.

The report classifies recommendations as operational, rather than complete, because the Department of Health and Social Services strives to embody a culture of continuous improvement, even when programs are in place, noting that some recommendations will always be open for improvement.

Of the 76 recommendations, 33 per cent are operational, as compared to 24 per cent in the previous year.

2024 Annual Report	2023 Annual Report	2022 Annual Report
25 (33 per cent) are operational	18 (24 per cent) were operational	13 (17 per cent) were operational
40 (53 per cent) are in progress	47 (62 per cent) were in progress	35 (46 per cent) were in progress
Seven (nine per cent) are still to begin	Eight (11 per cent) had not yet begun	23 (30 per cent) had not yet begun
Four (five per cent) define principles	Eight (11 per cent) had not yet begun	Four (five per cent) define principles

Putting People First provides a roadmap to help transform the health and social system to be more integrated, collaborative, person-centred and culturally safe to better meet the needs of Yukoners.

Yukoners can read the full report online at yukon.ca/en/putting-people-first-2024-annual-report.

The Putting People First report guides us in transforming the Yukon’s health and social systems to better meet the needs of all Yukoners. Our goal is to build a health care system that is integrated, collaborative, person-centred and culturally safe. As this Annual Report shows, we are making real progress – 33 per cent of the recommendations are now in place, up from 24 per cent last year. This collaborative effort between the Yukon government, Yukon First Nations governments and health partners is driving lasting change. A key part of this change is the establishment of Shäw Kwä’ą / Health and Wellness Yukon / Santé et mieux-être Yukon, which will enhance access to trauma-informed, person-centred, culturally safe care for all Yukoners.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

Quick facts

• Putting People First includes 76 recommendations that are guiding the Government of Yukon’s work to transform the health and social care system for Yukoners.
• As of July 2024:
  • 65 recommendations are in progress or operational;
  • Seven have yet to be started; and
  • Four define principles and approach.
• The Health Transformation Advisory Committee, represented by three Yukon First Nations senior officials, the CEO of the Yukon Hospital Corporation and the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, is providing leadership and oversight in the establishment of Shäw Kwä’ą.
• The Chiefs Committee on Health provides direction, oversight and guidance over the territory’s health and social system transformation.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Nigel Allan
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9576
nigel.allan@yukon.ca

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