Yukon Hospitals to add new clinical and frontline staff across territory
Published 3:30 pm Monday, January 12, 2026
Yukon Hospitals will roll out new clinical care and frontline support resources across the territory’s hospital system in the coming months, according to a Jan. 12 news release.
Between now and March, charge nurses will be added to every patient care unit, including community hospitals, through funding from the Yukon government, the release says. A new access and flow team will also be created to help patients and families navigate transitions out of hospital.
The access and flow team will be staffed by a paid manager and two discharge coordinators instead of volunteers, Yukon Hospitals spokesperson Dylan MacNeil confirmed. The team will be responsible for ensuring patients have what they need upon arrival and discharge, while improving communication between departments, according to the release.
Charge nurses, while new to Yukon facilities, are standard in Canadian hospitals . They are experienced registered nurses who take a lead role in supervising patient‑care staff, coordinating resources and ensuring quality‑care standards are consistently met across units, the release says.
Charge nurses’ responsibilities include supporting frontline teams with clinical mentorship, maintaining timely communication and helping retain and develop clinical staff. According to the news release, the role will also involve managing real‑time patient flow, ensuring individuals receive the right care in the right place at the right moment.
The role is also intended to strengthen patient and family experience, with charge nurses acting as a point of connection between care teams and the people they serve. Yukon Hospitals said the positions will help stabilize units during periods of high demand or acuity.
The access and flow team is expected to reduce delays in accessing care, improve patient experience and allow nurses to focus more fully on direct patient care. Yukon Hospitals said the health‑care system has become increasingly complex, with transitions that can be difficult for patients and families to navigate.
Pamela Hine, board chair of Yukon Hospitals, called the changes “a positive step forward for patients, families, and staff,” adding nurses have been clear about the supports required to deliver high‑quality care.
Health Minister Brad Cathers said the new resources are intended to improve access to hospital services while helping Yukon Hospitals retain staff and support health‑care professionals in providing high‑quality care to Yukoners.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com