Health Care

Health Transformation

Since 2020, the health budget has increased by 42 per cent to ensure greater access to primary care, more surgeries, more recruitment and retention, new health facilities being built, and much more. Budget 2025 investments include further implementation of Health Accord NL recommendations that will improve access to health care, with better outcomes.

Improving Service Delivery

Transforming health care involves recruiting health care professionals and making it easier for residents to access health care. Budget 2025 includes:

  • $140 million to continue implementation of a modernized Health Information System. This is part of a $620 million transformation of health IT infrastructure.
  • More than $26 million for the integration of ambulance services, including $8.5 million for the expansion of helicopter emergency medevac services.
  • An additional $15.7 million for vaccines to protect seniors, including shingles, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines.
  • $15 million to create an ambulatory care hub and two new urgent care centres.
  • $13.6 million to open 15 transitional and 30 long- term care beds in Corner Brook.
  • More than $10 million to help reduce backlogs, such as expansion of MRI and CT services, expanded capacity for orthopedic surgery and joint replacement surgeries, an outpatient ambulatory care clinic for orthopedics at Carbonear General Hospital, a dedicated hip fracture unit at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, expansion of the PET/CT program, and five additional orthopedic surgery beds.
  • $10 million for digital health, including virtual care and MyHealthNL.
  • $4.3 million to operationalize a new CT service in Channel-Port aux Basques.
  • More than $3.2 million to expand access to fertility services.
  • $3 million to operationalize a fourth cardiac catheterization suite.
  • $2.5 million for regional cardiovascular and stroke care to ensure equitable access across the province, including endovascular thrombectomy.
  • $2 million to continue to provide health care to newcomers.
  • Approximately $1.8 million for the continuous glucose monitoring program.
  • $1.6 million to create a chronic pain integrated hub and spoke model.
  • $1 million for the clinical translational genomics program.
  • $1 million for mobile primary health care clinics.
  • Close to $800,000 in increased support to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
  • Over $500,000 to support community-based Well-Being Networks.

Family Care Teams

Budget 2025 includes $35 million to hire additional health care providers for existing Family Care Teams and create new teams. To date, more than 75,000 people have been connected to teams, which are an essential aspect in the delivery of primary care.

Access to Cancer Care Prevention and Screening

Our government is committed to provide supports to prevent cancer and support patients and survivors. Budget 2025 includes an additional $4 million for preventative cancer treatment, including:

  • $1.5 million for new human papillomavirus screening.
  • $1.5 million to expand the lung cancer screening program.
  • $1 million for the expansion of breast cancer screening to individuals aged 40 to 49.

Mental Health and Addictions Support

A new era of mental health and addictions services begins this spring with the opening of the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre. To further advance accessibility to mental health and addictions services, Budget 2025 includes:

  • More than $6 million to support addiction recovery, including a 10-bed unit in Labrador, and recovery homes.
  • $5.7 million to enable Choices for Youth to implement services for vulnerable youth.
  • Close to $5 million for The Gathering Place to provide social support and services to vulnerable people. This reflects a $1 million increase.
  • More than $3.6 million for stepped-down mental health facilities and wraparound community-based supports.
  • Approximately $1.5 million to enable the Harm Reduction Team to continue providing care for vulnerable individuals.
  • More than $600,000 to increase availability of naloxone kits to assist individuals at risk of overdose from opioids.

Recruitment and Retention

Our recruitment incentives for health care professionals are the best in Canada. Since April 2023, more than 140 physicians and 1,100 nurses have been recruited to work in the province with more starting this year. Building on this momentum, Budget 2025 includes:

  • $10 million for recruitment and retention activities.
  • Close to $7 million for the Faculty of Medicine for the additional undergraduate seats for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, expansion of the Internal Medicine Canadian and International Program, creation of longitudinal integrated clerkships, and increase preceptor remuneration and learner supports.
  • $2.4 million in settlement supports for internationally-educated nurses.
  • More than $500,000 for a nursing mentorship program.

Medical Transportation Assistance Program

$1 million additional funding for medical transportation assistance will build on the significant enhancements launched last year.

Drug Therapies

Ensuring that eligible residents receive essential drug treatments is a priority, reflected in the more than $200 million allocated in the Prescription Drug Program. This year, approximately $17 million in new funding will be used to add 18 drugs to the formulary, targeting treatments for cancer, cardiovascular disease, tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, and reducing the risk of HIV-1 infection.