Health and Community Services

Health Accord NL set a clear vision to reimagine how we deliver and think about health care. We have been leaders in Canada in actioning a plan to improve how and where residents access care, and addressing the social determinants of health that are linked to our overall well-being. This year’s record high investment in health care totals $4.1 billion, which further highlights our commitment to improving access to care.

Family Care Teams

Family care teams are health professionals who work together to deliver care that meets your needs. There are currently 19 family care teams in various stages of implementation throughout the province, with more than 50,000 patients connected. Budget 2024 includes $30 million to hire additional health care providers for existing teams and to create new teams in:

• Baie Verte and Springdale region
• Lewisporte
• Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
• Downtown St. John’s

More teams are being funded and will be announced throughout the year.

Recruitment and Retention

Led by the best recruitment incentives in Canada, our government has recruited more than 450 nurses and more than 80 physicians since April 1, 2023. Our work is not done. Budget 2024 includes:

• $10 million to recruit and retain health care professionals.
• An additional $2 million to increase the number of Faculty of Medicine seats for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
• More than $500,000 for a new nursing mentorship program for experienced nurses to mentor our nursing graduates.

Health Innovation

At the heart of reimagined service delivery is the better flow of information: how it is shared between professionals, as well as patients, and how that can contribute to better health outcomes. Budget 2024 includes:

• $620 million over 10 years to transform health information management infrastructure and ensure better connectivity between patients and their health care professionals.
• $5 million for MyHealth NL, which will provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with access to a user-friendly app and online platform to have easy access to health care services and health information.

Improving Service Delivery

Our government is bringing health care services to residents and bringing residents to health care services. Budget 2024 investments in health care will continue to shorten wait times and improve access to health care by modernizing services for the 21st century:

• $1.39 million for mobile primary care clinics to travel to communities with limited access to primary care.
• $600,000 to implement a mobile X-ray pilot project to bring services to long-term care homes and personal care homes.
• $6.5 million to operationalize a fourth cardiac catheterization suite.
• Almost $1.8 million for an expanded continuous glucose monitoring program for patients with type 1 diabetes up to the age of 25 who are enrolled in the NL Insulin Pump Program and pregnant people with gestational diabetes.
• $10 million to expand virtual care services to increase access to primary care and emergency care, and complement family care teams, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics.
• $1.2 million for endoscopy services across the province.
• $1.2 million for more beds at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital to increase surgical capacity and further reduce wait lists.
• $4.3 million to establish integrated youth service sites.

Drug Therapies

This year, approximately $8 million in new funding is being allocated to add more than 20 drugs to the formulary to treat patients with cancer, lupus, sinus infections, and those needing a transplant. This brings the total budget of the Prescription Drug Program to close to $200 million, benefitting individuals and families with lower income.

Mental Health and Addictions

Through significant investments in Budget 2024, our government is expanding services and bringing community services to the people who need it, such as:

• More than $14 million to expand options for individuals seeking help for mental health and addictions.
• $1.5 million to expand the mobile crisis response teams to include communities and surrounding areas of Sheshatshiu, Stephenville, Twillingate, New World Island, Burin, Clarenville, and Conception Bay North.
• $900,000 to expand the Harm Reduction Team to improve care for vulnerable individuals.
• $1.5 million so the Gathering Place can continue to assist vulnerable individuals with services such as health care, dental care, and counselling when they need it most.