Budget 2022 continues a course of action to reimagine the system to best deliver health services focused on improving health outcomes and addressing the factors that influence people’s health.

Primary Health Care

Important steps were introduced in fall 2021 to improve access to primary health care – steps that serve as the early foundation from which the Health Accord NL’s recommendations will be built. Budget 2022 includes:

• An additional $4 million to support two new collaborative team clinics in St. John’s.
• An additional $6 million to expand collaborative team clinics across the province. These will supplement existing team-based care in those areas.
• $1.8 million for the continued operation of Health Hubs in Gander and Grand Falls- Windsor.
• $1 million for two pilot projects to attract more new medical graduates to family practice.
• $500,000 to create a Provincial Health Professional Recruitment and Retention Office.
• $350,000 for a Health Human Resource Plan.

Post-Secondary Nursing Programs

To increase the number of qualified graduates, which in turn leads to an improved work environment and better patient care, Budget 2022 includes:

• $3 million to increase the number of seats in Memorial University’s Nursing Program by 25 per cent.
• $2.5 million to increase the number of seats in the personal care attendant, practical nursing, paramedicine and other health programs available at College of the North Atlantic.

Emergency Services

Stabilizing and transporting a patient is challenging. When you factor in our province’s weather, demographics and geography, those challenges are heightened. To help alleviate pressures experienced by emergency services staff, Budget 2022 includes:

• $10 million for the re-design and expansion of the emergency room at the Health Sciences Centre.
• $5.4 million for air ambulance services.
• $3 million for two virtual ER services in the central region to assist with the provision of urgent care.
• $2 million for a 24/7 ambulance and more than 20 new, permanent positions in the Eastern Health region. These extra resources, which our government committed to last fall, will address the current peak in activity levels.

Social Determinants of Health

As outlined by Health Accord NL, addressing the social determinants is critical in rebalancing the health care system. Budget 2022 includes:

• Approximately $140 million to improve housing stability and prevent homelessness, through cost- shared agreements.
• $2.5 million for a new Alcohol Action Plan that will target prevention and promotion activities, as well as include a range of treatment initiatives.
• $2.5 million to implement a Life Promotion Suicide Prevention Action Plan, with a commitment of approximately $4.5 million annually for the next four years.
• $1.8 million to prevent and reduce tobacco and vaping use.

Better Services; Better Outcomes

• An additional $15.7 million for the provincial oncology program.
• $9.8 million for the Medical Transportation Assistance Program.
• An additional $5.9 million for new drug therapies.
• $3.3 million for the Insulin Pump Program.
• $100,000 to provide sanitary products free-of- charge in the K-12 schools.
• Over time, an additional 39 positions with an almost $10 million investment for cancer care at the new regional hospital in Corner Brook.

Mental Health

Improved access to mental health and addictions counselling services continues to be a priority. Budget 2022 includes:

• $16.3 million for the ongoing construction of an adult mental health and addictions facility in St. John’s and a six-bed unit in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• $8.9 million for flexible assertive community treatment teams.
• $2.6 million in further deployment of e-mental health options.
• Over $2 million for mobile crisis response teams.
• $800,000 for access to early interventions and supports for children, youth and families.

Promoting Physical Activity

Our government has set the ambitious goal of making Newfoundland and Labrador one of the healthiest provinces in Canada by 2031. Physical activity is central in achieving that goal and Budget 2022 includes:

• The Physical Activity Credit is a refundable tax credit of up to $2,000 per family. This credit, estimated at $7 million, is helping families access sport and recreational activities.
• More than $6 million to support recreation, physical activity, athlete and sport development, as well as encourage healthy lifestyles.
• $4.3 million to support the City of St. John’s hosting the 2025 Canada Games.

COVID-19

While considerable progress has been made, COVID-19 continues to be a part of our reality. Budget 2022 will continue to support the ongoing need for testing, vaccine administration, and personal protective equipment for health care workers.