Health Care Review Steering Committee Selected

FOR RELEASE #09-029
February 18, 2009

WHITEHORSE – Premier Dennis Fentie and Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart are pleased to announce the members of the Health Care Review Steering Committee.In November, a motion was passed in the legislative assembly by all parties to engage Yukoners in a dialogue on the findings and recommendations of the Yukon health care review which looked at current and long-term sustainability over the next 10 years.

“I am pleased that we have a dedicated group of individuals with experience in Yukon health care as members of this steering committee,” Fentie said. “These individuals will be out over the next few months having a discussion with Yukoners on health care, including the sustainability of our health care system.”

Dr. Allon Reddoch, M.D., former president of the Canadian Medical Association, will chair the Committee. He will be joined by Colleen Wirth, R.N.; Violet van Hees, Health and Social Services policy analyst; and Craig Tuton, chair of the Yukon Hospital Corporation.

Donna Hogan, former director of the Yukon First Nations Health Program at the Whitehorse General Hospital, is the First Nations representative. Elaine Carlyle will serve as finance officer to the committee.

“I am very pleased to chair this steering committee. As a physician, I have spent over 30 years listening to people’s health care concerns and this seems to be a natural extension of that work. Yukon enjoys one of the best health care systems in Canada and I am very excited to be involved in this project,” Reddoch said.

“The committee will be engaging with Yukoners through public meetings, mail-in questionnaires, website feedback and meetings with First Nations,” Hart added. “Their findings will be presented in the spring sitting of the legislative assembly.”

The health review committee secretariat can be reached at 667-8616 and is at 2131 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse, in the Tutshi building.

The Yukon Health Care Review report was presented to the legislature in November 2008 and is at www.hss.gov.yk.ca.

-30-

Contact:
Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7949
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca