This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and Summit Health Associates.
On November 1, 2024, Summit Health Associates’ psychiatry services became fully integrated into the Government of Yukon’s Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services (MWSUS). This physical integration aims to enhance access to psychiatric care, improve coordination with other mental health and substance use services and align with the Government of Yukon’s Putting People First priorities by providing seamless, patient-centred care across the territory.
This integration follows 18 months of collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Services and Summit Health Associates, with the shared goal of streamlining services, reducing wait times and ensuring continuous care for Yukoners experiencing mental health challenges.
To support a smooth transition, patients and allied health care professionals, including physicians, were notified in advance. Patients received written notice outlining the changes, confirming that their psychiatrist, care and care team will remain the same. As well, they received information on how this integration will improve access to a broader range of related mental health supports through MWSUS.
Summit Health psychiatrists will continue to provide essential psychiatric services, including care at Whitehorse General Hospital, the Psychiatric Outreach Program and outpatient services.
This new integration supports the government's broader commitment to improving mental health services through coordinated, comprehensive and patient-centred care.
The integration of psychiatry services into Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services is an important step toward providing Yukoners with the right care, at the right time, in the right place. This will help improve access, reduce wait times and ensure that patients receive the comprehensive care they need. Thank you to all the health care providers helping to support this transition. This is an important step in our Putting People First strategy, prioritizing patient-centred care and streamlining access to mental health services.
We at Summit Health Associates understand the value of providing holistic care options for patients and we are incredibly excited about the opportunity to integrate our mental health services. Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services is a diverse mental health care provider and by working directly with the MWSUS team, we can present more treatment and referral options to patients who will benefit from them.
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Summit Health Associates comprises four resident psychiatrists who provide care to Yukoners with complex and persistent mental, emotional and behavioural disorders.
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The integration of Summit Health psychiatrists into Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services is part of a broader initiative to integrate mental health services, which includes outreach, counselling and substance use support programs.
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Clients accessing outpatient psychiatry services will have the option to attend virtual appointments or in-person appointments at the Pine Medical Centre, 5110 5th Avenue, Whitehorse.
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Clients of the Psychiatric Outreach Program will continue to see their psychiatrist in person at 2090 2nd Avenue, bottom floor.
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This integration aligns with national trends in mental health care, which emphasize multidisciplinary, coordinated care to improve patient outcomes.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Thibaut Rondel
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-7058
thibaut.rondel@yukon.ca